Political persecution: The MAS regime kidnapped the opposition lawyer Jorge Valda

The lawyer Jorge Valda was apprehended this Friday morning in Santa Cruz. His wife, Carmen Arista, publicly denounced that it was a kidnapping, the intervention was carried out by plainclothes police officers in an irregular operation. According to her account, Valda was intercepted when he was leaving with his family heading to his daughter's school, the vehicle in which they took him had no plates or official identification.

Arista recounted that the white truck blocked their way in the middle of the public road and said she didn't think it was the Police due to the violence of the operation. The officers forcibly removed the lawyer without showing any order, they also didn't identify themselves or leave any written record of their actions. According to the lawyer, at that moment she feared for her husband's life.

The incident occurred around 07:00 in Santa Cruz, the jurist's wife tried to follow the vehicle, but it evaded her pursuit. She lost its trail near the fourth ring and Alemana Avenue. During the journey, she recorded a video denouncing what happened in real-time and there reiterated that the agents refused to show any documentation.

The commander of the Bolivian Police, Augusto Russo, confirmed that Valda was apprehended and indicated that he would be transferred to the city of La Paz. He didn't explain under what charges the arbitrary detention was carried out, he assured that he will make a statement after receiving the corresponding report. At the moment, the warrant authorizing the action is not known.

The detention occurred hours after the Ministry of Government premiered a documentary. The audiovisual, titled "What Happened on 26J?", was presented on Thursday night and in which Jorge Valda is mentioned as part of an alleged civil cabinet. That team was preparing to take power after a failed coup, Valda was proposed as attorney general.

Arista questioned the content of the documentary, she said her husband only gave an opinion on an analysis program. She considers that he is being criminalized for defending political prisoners, she also assured that this accusation has no legal basis. She stated that it is retaliation for his work as a defense lawyer.

Valda arrived in La Paz at noon in an official vehicle with dark windows, then he was taken to the cells of the (FELCC). Upon his arrival, several activists protested demanding his release. His lawyer, Eduardo León, denounced that he was not allowed entry and stated that they have not been informed about the process.

Is a masismo plan underway?

León declared to the media that there is no valid arrest warrant, he pointed out that the capture was illegal and arbitrary. He reiterated that his client is not apprehended, but kidnapped and criticized that information about his whereabouts is being hidden. He said that the minimum requirement is transparency and respect for due process.

The governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho, also spoke out and from his social networks denounced the event as a political kidnapping. He demanded that the persecution of activists and human rights defenders cease, he pointed out that Valda was transferred to La Paz without legal notification. He accused the Government of violating the lawyer's constitutional rights.

The party Comunidad Ciudadana issued an official statement in which it rejects the apprehension of Valda and others involved in the case called "Zúñiga". They denounce that a policy of repression is being established and demand the immediate release of the jurist. They also announced legal actions at the national and international levels.

Carlos Mesa, leader of Comunidad Ciudadana, warned about what happened and pointed out that it is a strategy of the Government to intimidate dissent. He criticized the use of the Public Ministry for political purposes, he said that the regime attempts to criminalize critical opinion. He alerted the international community about this authoritarian practice.

The president of the Comité pro Santa Cruz, Stello Cochamanidis, stated that the Government seeks to create new victims to distract public opinion. He said that the violence of the operation reflects institutional deterioration, he accused the Government of using force to silence critical voices. He added that this will intensify the political crisis the country is experiencing.

Family members, lawyers, and civic leaders went to the Departmental Prosecutor's Office. They demanded explanations about the detention procedure and pointed out that the prosecutor in charge gave no response. They consider that everything was planned to intimidate opponents, but they assure that they will continue to exert pressure until justice is obtained.

No formal evidence has yet been presented against Jorge Valda and no concrete charge is known from the Public Ministry. The lack of information has caused concern in different sectors that understand that masismo will increase its repressive measures.