Former Minister Achacollo fails to appear before justice; prosecution will seek contempt of court ruling and Interpol alert
Former minister Nemesia Achacollo remains unlocated in the Indigenous Fund case. The prosecution is processing her contempt of court ruling and an Interpol red notice.
Prosecution activates Interpol and will seek contempt of court ruling against Achacollo in Indigenous Fund case
Former Minister of Rural Development and Land, Nemesia Achacollo, continues to fail to appear before authorities in the Indigenous Fund case (Fondioc). According to El Deber, the Public Ministry is preparing judicial actions to force her appearance before Bolivian justice.
Prosecutor Miguel Cardozo stated that reports from Immigration and Police confirm that the former official was not found in national territory, although there is also no official record of her leaving the country. "Immigration's information has established that she has not left national territory legally, which would establish that she has indeed left irregularly or, if not, is present in the territory in a concealed manner," Cardozo stated.
Achacollo faces formal charges for alleged crimes of breach of duty and unlawful conduct related to eight Indigenous Fund projects. The prosecution has already filed those charges and will request her preventive detention for six months at the Women's Orientation Centre in Obrajes.
Because she could not be located, the former minister was notified by public notice. Once the judge sets a date for the precautionary hearing, the Public Ministry will formally request her contempt of court ruling. "The judge will set a day and time for precautionary measures and in which the Public Ministry will request the contempt of court ruling against this person," prosecutor Cardozo clarified.
In parallel, the prosecution is managing the activation of a red notice with Interpol to extend the search outside Bolivia. "A red notice with Interpol is also being requested, given the gravity of the matter, so that she may be found in another country and referred to the Public Ministry," the investigator detailed.
The judicial process focuses on eight projects flagged by audits of the Indigenous Fund, among them greenhouses that allegedly were executed irregularly and caused economic damage to the State. Cardozo indicated that inspections, statements from former officials and other investigative actions remain pending to determine responsibilities.
Additionally, the Commission of Prosecutors is analysing a request to expand the investigation against former directors and other individuals linked to the case.
Source: El Deber