More than a hundred people detained in La Paz disturbances
Law enforcement arrested 99 people and apprehended a further 28 following violent clashes during protests at Bolivia's seat of government.
More than a hundred people detained in La Paz disturbances
Law enforcement in La Paz reported the detention of 127 individuals following a day of protests that resulted in violent incidents at the seat of government. Information was provided by departmental commander Juan Amílcar Sotopeña, who specified that 28 of those captured were apprehended—comprising 23 males and five females—whilst the remaining 99 were arrested, including 82 men and 17 women.
The operations were carried out with the objective of preserving public order, safeguarding Plaza Murillo and ensuring the safety of La Paz residents, according to remarks made by the senior police official in an interview with state channel Btv.
In parallel, officers conducted inspections at lodging establishments in several areas of the city. They achieved the capture of seven additional individuals: five apprehended and two arrested. The commander stated that these individuals maintained direct links to the violent incidents.
During the searches, agents found contact lists, digital conversations and cash, elements that would have been used to organise vandalism and summon people to different points of the city. Mobile devices and propaganda material were also seized.
Sotopeña indicated that whilst explosive devices were not discovered in subsequent operations, the institution already has the identification of several responsible parties thanks to images captured by more than ten unmanned aircraft that flew over the conflict zones.
In another development, the police chief confirmed that eleven officers were injured during clashes with protesters. The severity of injuries affected two of them: one suffers eye damage and a fractured maxilla, and another has sustained cranial trauma that requires medical observation. Both received severe blows near the Celeste station of the cable transport system, where groups of protesters attacked the officers.
Source: La Razón Digital Bolivia
Source: Google News BO — La Paz