Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges
The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback
A Bolivian judge ordered the arrest of Evo Morales on Friday, inflicting another blow to the socialist former president’s ambition to run in this year’s election.
The court declared Morales in contempt and also ordered his detention on human-trafficking charges, prosecutor Sandra Gutierrez told reporters.
The judge also ordered freezing Morales’ bank accounts, according to local television station Unitel.
Morales, who is being investigated for allegedly having a child with a minor, did not appear at the court hearing in the city of Tarija, the second time he has failed to appear.
He has repeatedly denied the charges, which he describes as an attempt to torpedo his political ambitions in the August presidential election.
In a social media post on Friday, Morales slammed those “that persecute me and condemn me in record time, a ‘justice’ that is biased and subservient to the Arce government”.