Former Bolivian President Evo Morales should provide a public explanation on allegations implicating him in the sexual assault of minors in a court, the country's interim president, Jeanine Anez, said on Friday
BUENOS AIRES (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2020) Former Bolivian President Evo Morales should provide a public explanation on allegations implicating him in the sexual assault of minors in a court, the country's interim president, Jeanine Anez, said on Friday.
Last week, the Bolivian Justice Ministry put forward accusations against Morales over starting an affair with a 14-year-old girl while in office as president. A video was leaked into the internet of the girl, Noemi Meneses Chavez, who is now 19, congratulating Morales on a five-year anniversary as a couple. A pile of other photo- and video-evidence is part of the case.
"Evo Morales must provide explanations over the sexual assault of minors. Explanations to courts and explanations to the country," Anez said on Twitter.
Morales, 60, is already under investigation on several other cases, including alleged terrorism and corruption. The ex-president himself has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically-motivated.
Morales was pressured by the military to flee Venezuela on the back of violent nationwide protests last fall. They were ignited by his controversial victory in an election that would launch his fourth consecutive presidential term.
Opposition lawmaker Jeanine Anez has since taken over as interim president and arranged for a new presidential election, scheduled for October 18. Morales is barred from running, but he administers the campaign of a candidate from his Movement for Socialism (MAS) party from exile in Argentina.
