FORMER energy executive Roberto David Castillo has been found guilty of planning the murder of a Honduran environmental activist who opposed the construction of a much criticised dam his firm won the contract to build.

A court ruled on Monday that Mr Castillo hired the gunmen who shot dead Berta Caceres in 2016.

Indigenous rights groups have hailed the verdict as a victory for the people of Honduras.

Ms Caceres had led protests against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project which was to be built by Mr Castillo’s company, Desa, enduring years of threats for her opposition to the dam, which would have flooded large areas and cut off the supply of water, food and medicine for hundreds of the indigenous Lenca people.

Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro pulled out of the project in the face of community resistance that involved road blocks preventing workers from reaching the site.

In 2019 seven men were jailed for their role in the killing of Ms Caceres, who was found shot dead in her own home. Prosecutors in that case said the men were acting on behalf of Mr Castillo’s company. He was arrested in 2018.

The court will convene on August 2 for sentencing, which could see a jail sentence of between 24 and 30 years.