Former Cochabamba prosecutor Tejerina investigated for corruption in double murder case
The Cochabamba Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation against former prosecutor Osvaldo Tejerina for extortion and passive bribery, in addition to two disciplinary proceedings.
Former departmental prosecutor of Cochabamba faces charges for alleged corruption
Former departmental prosecutor of Cochabamba Osvaldo Tejerina is the subject of a criminal investigation for alleged acts of corruption, according to El Deber. The facts are linked to the handling of the investigation into the murder of spouses Juan Claure and Rufina Ayala, which occurred in Sipe Sipe in 2024.
The Public Prosecutor's Office referred the background information to the specialist prosecutor's office for crimes against corruption, which will form a commission to gather the necessary evidence.
Departmental prosecutor Eddy Ordóñez confirmed that the facts were preliminarily classified as extortion and passive bribery. "The participation of this conduct has been preliminarily classified in the crimes of extortion and passive bribery," Ordóñez declared, specifying that the complaint, background information and evidence have already been transferred to the specialist office.
The complaint points to concrete irregularities in the handling of the Claure-Ayala case. According to the background information mentioned by the Prosecutor's Office, it is questioned that Tejerina had included anti-corruption prosecutors in the investigation commission, rather than prosecutors specialising in the matter.
Parallel to the criminal proceedings, the Prosecutor's Office announced the opening of two disciplinary proceedings against the former official for alleged violations in the exercise of his duties, including possible irregularities in the issuance of rulings contrary to existing laws.
Ordóñez warned that, if very serious violations are proven, Tejerina could face permanent removal from the prosecutor's career.
Both the criminal investigation and the disciplinary proceedings will follow their respective processes independently. It is up to the Public Prosecutor's Office to establish the facts and determine whether there are sufficient elements to support the accusations against the former prosecutor.
Source: El Deber