Bolivian opposition leader Camacho released from jail after nearly 3 years

"Right-wing Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho has been released from jail after spending nearly three years in pretrial detention for his role in unrest that led to the 2019 ouster of then left-wing President Evo Morales. As the political right's momentum accelerates ahead of a presidential election run-off in October, Camacho returned to a hero's welcome in the eastern province of Santa Cruz after his release on Friday from a maximum-security prison near La Paz."

"Thousands of supporters waved the city's green and white flags as he walked down an avenue to the main square, where the governor's office is located. Camacho addressed supporters who had gathered: It has been an honour to be imprisoned for almost three years, for the struggle of my people and for democracy. He then entered the governor's office to take over from deputy governor Mario Aguilera, who had been in charge of the department in his absence."

"Camacho's release comes after Bolivias Supreme Court last week issued a rare ruling ordering all judges to review the legality of pretrial detention in the cases of three prominent right-wing leaders, including Camacho. The 46-year-old conservative lawyer and businessman was arrested in December 2022 on charges of fomenting a coup in 2019 against Morales, the country's first Indigenous president, who had governed since 2006."

An annulled criminal case against ex-interim leader Añez preceded the release of right-wing opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho after nearly three years in pretrial detention for his role in unrest that led to the 2019 ouster of President Evo Morales. Camacho received a hero's welcome in Santa Cruz as thousands waved green and white flags and he entered the governor's office to resume duties. Bolivia's Supreme Court ordered judges to review the legality of pretrial detention in cases of three prominent right-wing figures. Camacho was arrested in December 2022 on charges of fomenting a 2019 coup; his imprisonment galvanized right-wing supporters ahead of an October presidential run-off.

Read at www.aljazeera.com