This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (2006-2019) was “formally” accused by his country’s courts of “human trafficking” in connection with the alleged rape of a minor with whom he had a child.
According to the complaint received by the Bolivian justice system, Evo Morales allegedly committed crimes of rape against a minor aged 15 at the time of the events and who was a member of a group of young activists within his movement.
The Bolivian public prosecutor has “formally accused” the former head of state, who aspires to run in the 2025 presidential elections, of “trafficking in human beings”. The name of the minor’s mother also appears on the indictment.
Evo Morales claimed to be the victim of a legal cabal, under the instigation of current President Luis Arce, formerly his heir apparent, in order to prevent him from seeking a presidential mandate.
He also accused the current government of wanting to physically eliminate him, following police shootings against his convoy last October.
The indictment emphasizes that the parents of the alleged victim would have benefited from largesse from the former president, in return for handing over their daughter to him.
A date for Morales’ hearing in the case is expected to be set. Precautionary measures were also requested to prevent the former president from leaving the country before his hearing.
The public prosecutor also announced that it would request the preventive detention of Morales for six months pending a possible trial.
Since the outbreak of this affair, Evo Morales has taken refuge in his stronghold of Cochabamba (center) where he is protected by farmers from the highlands who constitute his electoral base.
