Bolivia investigates ex-president Evo Morales over alleged ties to 2009 killings
Acting Attorney General José Armando Urioste has launched a preliminary inquiry into allegations that former president Evo Morales was involved in the 2009 murder of three Europeans and the torture of two others.
Mario Tadic, a Bolivian-Croatian citizen, and Hungarian Elöd Tóásó survived their arrests and said they were tortured. The case was brought forward by rightwing lawmakers Tomasa Yarhui and Rodrigo Antonio.
The victims and their relatives also took the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In 2021, the commission found that Bolivia’s government had breached human rights.
The inquiry begins as Morales is reportedly in hiding while facing two active arrest warrants. One concerns alleged involvement in protests that halted the country for 53 days; the other alleges trafficking a minor. Morales denies the accusations.
Key points
- Bolivia’s acting attorney general opened a preliminary investigation into Morales.
- Two survivors said they were tortured after their 2009 arrests.
- Morales denies allegations tied to two active arrest warrants.