Bolivian court sends two people to prison after San Julián road disturbances
A court ordered six months imprisonment for two of five people accused of violent altercations on a departmental highway, while the rest regained freedom with restrictions.
Bolivian court sends two people to prison after San Julián road disturbances
A court determined on Monday that two of five people linked to violent altercations in San Julián should serve preventive detention for six months in Palmasola prison. The other three accused were released on freedom with alternative restrictions.
The decision was made at the conclusion of the hearing on precautionary measures at the Palace of Justice. The facts being investigated occurred on 6 June, when law enforcement officers attempted to remove a barricade that had obstructed the route between Santa Cruz and Beni for more than two weeks. The intervention ended in clashes between protesters and uniformed officers, with at least six people injured, including five police officers.
The Public Prosecutor's Office charged the accused with seven criminal offences, including terrorism, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, assault on security officials, damage to state property, obstruction of work, and injuries of varying severity.
Legal representative Jacobo Rodríguez announced that he would appeal the ruling that leaves two of his clients imprisoned. The lawyer criticised the fact that the accusation is based almost exclusively on an analysis of digital networks prepared by the police regarding content published around the road blockade. He also stated that several of the offences cited have no relation to what occurred.
Rodríguez also stated that some of those detained were not participating in the protests. According to his account, one was travelling to his job and another was looking after his livestock on a farm when they were apprehended.
The defence is confident that a higher court will overturn the custodial measure and release the two accused who remain detained.
_Source: El Deber_
Source: El Deber