Bolivia: Arturo Murillo To Hold Judicial Hearing on Aug. 9

People pay tribute to those killed during the 2019 coup d'etat in Bolivia, Aug. 6, 2021.

He directed the purchase of tear gas and non-lethal weapons at inflated prices during Jeanine Añez de facto administration and is currently detained in the U.S.

Bolivia’s Attorney General Wilfredo Chavez confirmed the judicial hearing of former Interior Minister Arturo Murillo on Aug. 9 in the U.S. 

RELATED: Bolivia Commemorates 196th Anniversary of Its Independence

Murillo has been detained in the United States since May under money laundering and bribery charges. He directed the purchase of tear gas and non-lethal weapons at inflated prices during the de facto administration of Jeanine Añez (2019-2020). 

The case is also being investigated by Bolivian authorities, who claimed the resources were diverted for the real estate project El Doral S.A. in Santa Cruz. 

The hearing will be held only for Murillo while the other defendants, including Murillo’s chief of staff, Sergio Mendez, will attend the court on Sept. 8. 

Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce)@LuchoXBoliviaCelebramos los 196 años de creación de las Fuerzas Armadas. En nombre del Gobierno Nacional, quiero rendir mi más sincero homenaje a los miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas que cumplen con su deber de servicio al pueblo y del fiel cumplimiento a nuestra Constitución.

Image

The meme reads: We are celebrating 196 years since the creation of the Armed Forces. On behalf of the National Government, I would like to pay my most sincere tribute to the members of the Armed Forces who fulfill their duty of service to the people and faithful compliance with our Constitution.

Bolivian authorities have investigated at least 20 people and have detained five officials connected to the “tear gas” case. 

Justice Minister Ivan Lima confirmed that Añez and her cabinet would be summoned to provide information on the decrees that authorized the purchase of the anti-riot material.

The Bolivian government explained that the de facto government allocated US$ 5.6 million dollars for the purchase of the ammunition; however, the supplier (Brazilian company Condor) was paid only 3.3 million dollars for the acquisition.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *