Bolivia: Interim gov't to probe nearly 600 ex-officials

ANKARA

Bolivia's interim government led by Jeanine Anez announced Wednesday it will launch investigations against nearly 600 former officials in the ousted administration.

The head of the anti-corruption Bolivian ministry group, Fight Against Corruption, Mathias Kutsch, said in a news conference along with Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra in La Paz, that the investigation will be carried out to "detect who played roles in corruption crimes during the administration of former President Evo Morales and recover assets abroad."

A total of 592 former officials who served between November 2006 and 2019, and their family members will be investigated, according to Kutsch.

"Justice minister of the de facto government violates the Political Constitution of the State by presuming the guilt of 592 former MAS [Movement for Socialism Party] officials and their families," Morales said in response.

"He [Coimbra] puts himself above the judges dictating conviction, without prior trial," the former leader said on Twitter. "The regime of Anez, [former President Carlos] Mesa and [opposition leader Luis Fernando] Camacho is violent, sower of false evidence and defamatory."

Turmoil in Bolivia began when Morales won a fourth term in office in October and faced immediate resistance from opposition parties that challenged election results. Protesters took to the streets claiming the ballot was rigged.

After weeks of upheaval, Morales resigned under pressure from the military and moved to Mexico, where he was offered political asylum. He was then granted asylum in Argentina.

Meanwhile, conservative Senator Anez proclaimed herself interim president.

A new presidential election is set for May 3, however, Morales will not be able to run as he has already hit the constitutional limit of two terms of office.

ANKARA

Bolivia's interim government led by Jeanine Anez announced Wednesday it will launch investigations against nearly 600 former officials in the ousted administration.

A total of 592 former officials who served between November 2006 and 2019, and their family members will be investigated, according to Kutsch.

After weeks of upheaval, Morales resigned under pressure from the military and moved to Mexico, where he was offered political asylum. He was then granted asylum in Argentina.

Meanwhile, conservative Senator Anez proclaimed herself interim president.

A new presidential election is set for May 3, however, Morales will not be able to run as he has already hit the constitutional limit of two terms of office.