Bolivia: the three alleged leaders of the failed coup placed in detention

Bolivia: the three alleged leaders of the failed coup placed in detention
Bolivia: the three alleged leaders of the failed coup placed in detention

Bolivia: Three suspected leaders of failed coup detained

The former head of the Bolivian army, General Juan José Zuniga, and two other high-ranking officers accused of leading Wednesday’s failed coup against President Luis Arce were placed in pre-trial detention on Saturday in a high security prison, noted AFP.

On Friday, the courts ordered their incarceration for six months in Chonchocoro prison, on the outskirts of El Alto, a municipality close to La Paz, while the investigation into the armed uprising lasted a few hours.

General Zuniga, Vice Admiral Juan Arnez, former head of the Navy, and Alejandro Irahola, former head of the Mechanized Brigade, are being prosecuted for “terrorism” and “armed uprising” and face up to 20 years in prison.

A total of 21 active, retired and civilian military personnel were arrested in connection with the coup attempt, during which troops equipped with armoured vehicles besieged the presidential palace for several hours before retreating.

On Saturday, the Interior Minister said he had provided the courts with evidence proving the military’s intention to carry out a coup against Mr Arce.

“We discovered a radio telegram” ordering the transfer of a plane to repatriate special forces to La Paz, Eduardo Del Castillo told the press.

General Zuniga claimed to have acted on the orders of the president, who had asked him to “stage something to increase his popularity”. A version vigorously denied by Mr Arce.

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