Bolivia's attorney general has announced a preliminary investigation into former president Evo Morales, alleging his involvement in the murder and torture of European citizens in 2009. The inquiry was announced by acting attorney general José Armando Urioste, who is one week into his role.
The investigation relates to a police raid on a hotel in Santa Cruz 17 years ago, during which Eduardo Rózsa Flores, Michael Dwyer, and Árpád Magyarosi were shot dead. Mario Tadic and Elöd Tóásó, who survived the raid, reportedly experienced torture after their arrest.
In a letter to the supreme court, Urioste stated that authorities are gathering evidence against Morales and his former vice-president Álvaro García Linera for the alleged commission of murder, abuse, torture, and unlawful detention. The investigation follows a complaint filed by right-wing lawmakers Tomasa Yarhui and Rodrigo Antonio.
At the time of the raid, Morales, then president, told the press that he had ordered the detention of the foreigners, whom he referred to as “mercenaries.” A 2021 conclusion by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found that the government had violated human rights in relation to the case.
Morales is currently in hiding due to two active arrest warrants, one concerning alleged involvement in protests earlier this year and another accusing him of trafficking a minor. He denies these allegations. Neither Morales nor García Linera has commented on the latest inquiry.