BOGOTA, Oct.15 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Ecuadorean President Lucio Gutierrez was arrested in the northwestern Ecuadorean port of Manta on Friday under the charge of threatening national security.

    Gutierrez was arrested after his chartered plane, from Dorado Airport of Bogota, landed around 7:40 p.m. (0040 GMT).

Former Ecuadorean president Lucio Gutierrez talks to the media before being arrested at an army airport in Manta Oct. 14. (AFP)

    He was on the plane with his brother, Gilmar, his lawyer, Fernando Larrea, and Fausto Cobo, a former official from his administration, and several journalists.

    Gutierrez remained calm as he was led to another plane heading for the capital, Quito, which is 260 km to the northeast.

    The 48-year-old former president was elected to the office in November 2002 and sacked by the Ecuadorean Parliament this April, five days after he disbanded the country's Supreme Court and declared a state of emergency.

    During his life of exile, Gutierrez was granted political asylum by Colombia on Oct. 4, which he renounced several days ago.

    Before leaving Colombia, Gutierrez said he was unjustly ousted and accused his successor, President Alfredo Palacio, of corruption and fabricating charges against him. Enditem