Bolivia’s former interim president Jeanine Añez was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for leading a coup once morest her left-wing predecessor, Evo Morales, in 2019, a La Paz court announced on Friday.
The Court of First Instance in the capital decided on a “conviction” of a “sentence of 10 years” of imprisonment, to be served in a women’s prison in La Paz, three months following the start of the trial and 15 months following the placement in pre-trial detention of the former right-wing head of state.
We will not stop there, we will go before international justice.
Jeanine Añezformer interim president of Bolivia
Ms. Añez, 54, was sentenced “for the offenses of resolutions contrary to the Constitution and dereliction of duties”.
In her last statement, she claimed the court had “ruled out” evidence to deny an overthrow of Mr Morales, who spent 14 years in power. “I never sought power,” she assured.
She had announced that she would appeal once morest a possible conviction: “We will not stop there, we will go before international justice”.
Acting President following the resignation of Evo Morales
Jeanine Añez was tried for her actions as a senator, before assuming the interim presidency, from November 12, 2019.
She thus succeeded Evo Morales, two days following the resignation of the latter, in a context of strong social unrest. Opponents have accused Mr Morales of committing fraud in the October election that year to secure a fourth consecutive term until 2025.