[I request] revocation of my pre-trial detention so that, in freedom, I can better exercise my legitimate right of defense (...). Currently, as I find myself detained, unjustly and for the first time in my life, my family and I are suffering veritable moral and psychological trauma.19 31. On October 22, 1997, Mr. Cortez asked the Military Criminal Court of the First Air Force Division to set a bond to enable him to be released. That request was accepted on December 17 of the same year.20 After paying US$1,500, Mr. Cortez was released on December 19, 1997.21 32. The IACHR takes note of the Forensic Psychological Report of July 2013 presented by the petitioner, which refers to Mr. Cortez's detention. That report stated: (Mr. Cortez) mentions that he was deprived of liberty from July through December 1997 and regained his freedom by paying a bond. At the start of his detention, he was held incommunicado for 17 days, without any contact with family members. Only afterwards was he able to communicate with his wife. He says he was kept locked up in an improvised cell, where unknown persons kicked the door to stop him from sleeping. That went on for several days, with the exhaustion affecting his mental awareness, so much so that he says "I was a zombie when I gave my statement", referring to what was possibly emotional disturbance caused by lack of sleep. He complains that he was never examined by a doctor during his detention and that his captors took it out on him with acts showing contempt and hate, by spitting in his food. "I didn't eat the spat out food with phlegm and sputum, but other times I was so hungry that I ate it," he said in describing his reactions to that degrading treatment. "They bundled me out like a criminal surrounded by escorts," he said describing how the military took him to interrogations, in the facilities of the same air base at which he had served, a matter he considers an affront to his dignity given the cultural environment within the Air Force in which he had served and had reached a certain rank in the hierarchy. (..) Once the solitary confinement period was over, conditions improved although frequent cell searches continued, but at least he had a decent bed and bathroom and could practice sport. However, he was allowed no personal privacy during visits.22 33. The report reached the following conclusions: The person examined describes facts and circumstances of an illegal detention, solitary confinement, judicial proceedings without due process, and degrading treatment during captivity. (..) He tells of having been kept incommunicado and subjected to constant psychological stimuli that prevented him from sleeping or resting. For the person examined, deprivation of liberty radically altered his life plan and productive activity, with his dignity demeaned by being imprisoned under those conditions in a military unit in which he had served with an important, unblemished record. Although we did not detect unambiguous signs of psychical damage or trauma, there is abundant evidence of the suffering he went through. (...) The wife and children of the person examined are vicarious victims, too, since they had to suffer economic hardship, instability, and all the attitudes and conduct of a husband and father repeatedly subjected to emotional distress. 23 34. On July 29, 1998, the Cortez's defense counsel asked the Military Court of Law of the First Air Force Division to dismiss the proceedings and lift the other pre-trial detention measures against him, as follow: It is also fair to add that, being innocent, I was arbitrarily detained for approximately five months and one week, without being summonsed to trial, all of which has caused me grave harm, lacing my honor and Military Criminal Court of the First Air Division. Written statement of defense of Mr. Cortez in military criminal proceedings 03-97 of August 11, 1997. Pages 127 to 129 of the 03-07 Judicial case file of the military criminal proceedings. Attached to the petition of Wednesday, March 29, 2000. 20 Military Criminal Court of the First Air Division. (Unnumbered) writ in military criminal proceedings N° 03/-97 of December 17, 1997. Page 186 of the 03-07 Judicial case file of the military criminal proceedings. Attached to the petition of March 29, 2000. 21 Military Criminal Court of the First Air Force Division. Official Letter No. 145-AB-B-O-2000 of April 5, 2000. Attached to the petitioner's communication of April 20, 2000. 22 National Police of Ecuador. National Directorate of Judicial and Investigative Police. Forensic Medicine Department. Forensic Psychological Report No. 2013-892, performed on July 16, 19, 24, and 29, 2013. Attached to the petitioner's communication of December 2, 2013. 23 National Police of Ecuador. National Directorate of Judicial and Investigative Police. Forensic Medicine Department. Forensic Psychological Report No. 2013-892, performed on July 16, 19, 24, and 29, 2013. Attached to the petitioner's communication of December 02, 2013. 19 6