(La Paz) The former head of the Bolivian army, General Juan José Zuniga, and two other high-ranking officers accused of leading the failed coup against President Luis Arce on Wednesday were placed in custody on Saturday. pre-trial detention in a high security prison, noted AFP.
Published at 4:02 p.m.
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.
PHOTO AIZAR RALDES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The former head of the mechanized brigade of the Bolivian army, Alejandro Irahola
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 that the military intended to carry out a coup against Arce. “We found a radio telegram” ordering the transfer of a plane to repatriate special forces to La Paz, Eduardo Del Castillo told reporters.
General Zuniga claimed to have acted on orders from the president, who asked him to “stage something to increase his popularity”. A version vigorously denied by Mr. Arce.
