Former Commander Sokol Leaves Bolivian Police Amid Corruption and Drug-Trafficking Accusations
The lawyer for Mirko Sokol described his resignation as a "victory for the corrupt and drug-traffickers". The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating audio recordings that would allegedly link him to irregular conduct.
General Sokol's resignation sparks controversy over police corruption in Bolivia
Lawyer Abel Loma described general Mirko Sokol Saravia's resignation as commander general of the Bolivian Police as a "victory for the corrupt and drug-traffickers". According to El Deber, Loma argued that his client was pressured because of the actions he had taken against irregular sectors within the institution.
"He is being attacked for fighting corruption within the Police. There was no longer trafficking in posts; the corrupt and drug-traffickers saw Mirko Sokol Saravia as a stone in their shoe, an obstacle to carrying out their misdeeds," the legal expert stated.
Loma added that Sokol's departure closed a historic opportunity to transform the police institution. "They must surely be very pleased that a police officer of such notable trajectory has left office. General Sokol has been a historic opportunity to change the institution, but that slips away like water through your fingers," he said.
Investigation into audio recordings and pending statement
Parallel to the resignation, the defence submitted a memorandum to the Public Prosecutor's Office to reschedule the former commander's informative statement as part of an investigation linked to audio recordings referring to alleged irregular conduct within the Police.
Loma emphasised that Sokol does not intend to evade the process. "The general is willing to provide his informative statement, his version in relation to alleged audio recordings that, according to the state vice-president and the Public Prosecutor's Office, would link him to acts of corruption," he noted.
The lawyer questioned, however, the manner in which his client was notified, describing it as irregular. The defence is awaiting formal notification of the content of the complaint in order to submit the corresponding defence arguments.
The "Golden Boys": the complaint that ended up against the complainant
According to Loma, the audio recordings being investigated contain references from Sokol to an alleged irregular group within the Police called "Golden Boys", which he attributes to an alleged collection of money to promote his removal and subsequently control the trafficking in police posts.
The defence argues that the former commander had reported the existence of that structure, but ended up being investigated as a result of his own statements.
"Having stated this, general Sokol, the vice-president files a complaint, speaks of how he was involved in this, of how he was covering up these kinds of situations and the Public Prosecutor's Office, in record time, in less than 24 hours, admits a complaint and as a result is conducting an investigation," Loma questioned.
Allegations against Vice-President Edmand Lara
The lawyer also observed that Vice-President Edmand Lara had not provided, during his informative statement, the names of the people he later mentioned publicly when referring to the alleged "Golden Boys" group.
"It is striking that the vice-president in his informative statement within this process does not give names of any of these Golden Boys groups; however, he ends his statement, leaves the Vice-Presidency and at a press conference releases all the names of these people," Loma stated.
The legal expert considered that the people named publicly should be called in by the Public Prosecutor's Office to clarify the facts. "There is something odd here, there is something odd between the Vice-Presidency, the Public Prosecutor's Office and well it will be time and the Bolivian people who will judge these improper actions," he said.
Government confirms relief and designates replacement
Loma's statements came on the same day the Government confirmed the end of Sokol's tenure as head of the Bolivian Police and announced the appointment of his successor. The former commander is leaving office whilst his statement within the investigation remains pending.
The defence insists that Sokol should be given the opportunity to explain the content of the recordings and to know with precision the facts attributed to him. The Public Prosecutor's Office will have to determine whether the audio recordings and other evidence gathered during the investigation contain indicators of corruption and establish the corresponding responsibilities.
Source: El Deber