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Evo Morales's lawyers fear being killed 1:08
(CNN Spanish) - A judge issued a six-month preventive detention against César Cocarico, former Minister of Rural Development and Land of Bolivia, who held this position during the term of former president Evo Morales, according to the state news agency ABI, which quotes the Departmental Prosecutor's Office of La Paz.
Cocarico, who was Minister of Morales from 2015 until the end of his term, was apprehended last Friday and is investigated for the crimes of improper exercise of the profession, breach of duties, improper use of influences and prolongation of duties, due to its alleged link in irregularities detected in the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA).
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According to ABI reports, Cocarico allegedly irregularly and illegally appointed an INRA extitular who did not have a Bachelor's degree or experience to hold the position. Cocarico has denied this accusation, according to state media reports.
"The first thing I did was to show my face, because I don't intend to hide or escape," Cocarico said when he was arrested, according to ABI.
CNN is trying to contact Cocarico's legal team to get direct comment on the case.
Evo Morales reacted this Sunday on Twitter. “The de facto government of #Bolivia continues to illegally detain ex-authorities of our administration. Former Minister César Cocarico was jailed on charges of appointing an official who did not 'meet requirements'. We denounce this outrage to the DD.HH. and the rule of law, ”wrote the former plaintiff.
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The government minister, Arturo Murillo, said on Friday that Cocarico's apprehension is not linked to Evo Morales, but to alleged links to acts of corruption.
Cocarico is the second former Morales official who has been arrested since the ex-president resigned last November from the presidency of Bolivia. At the end of January, former Government Minister Carlos Romero was arrested, who is being investigated for alleged corruption. Romero has denied the accusations.
Evo Morales
