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Five months into her detention, the case of ex-president Jeanine Áñez has taken a dark turn this week. Áñez's family and lawyer report she attempted self-harm just days after a damning international report linked her administration to massacres of 20 civilians.
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Áñez was arrested in March as part of an investigation into the legality of her assuming power in November 2019. woborders.blog/2021/03/18/anez-arrested/
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This prosecution has remained open-ended and has not led to a concrete indictment, but this past week's report by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts raised the prospect of a more tangible indictment.
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The #GIEIBolivia report was devastating on Sacaba (@CarwilBJ/1427830217863745538) and Senkata massacres, dismantling the Áñez government cover story.
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The report raises the prospect of a 20-count indictment for homicide. (The crime of "genocide" in Bolivia covers such massacres, even w/o racial motives, which are also raised.) Early signs of brewing prosecution: @CarwilBJ/1428875601079934981
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Meanwhile, Áñez's state of mind and potentially fragile health have been a matter of concern ever since her indefinite detention began.
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Within days, Áñez positioned herself as a political prisoner, wrote that "I do not trust the government's doctors. They are part of a system of abuse and repression…" erbol.com.bo/nacional/a%C3%B1ez-desde-la-c%C3%A1rcel-%E2%80%98si-llegan-matarme-pido-al-pueblo-que-vele-por-la-seguridad-de-mis
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In other terms, since the beginning of her detention, the alleged risk to her life has been part of public discussion. Her health scares have been international news: cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/04/20/jeanine-anez-salud-descompensacion-carcel-demoras-permisos-medicos-orix/
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A judge denied her petition for house arrest in July, deeming her medical condition "not severe" and her flight risk real. dw.com/es/bolivia-juez-niega-a-jeanine-%C3%A1%C3%B1ez-cambiar-casa-por-c%C3%A1rcel/a-58183699
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Which bring us to last night, when she cut her own arms in what her lawyers termed "a suicide attempt [and] a cry for help." Áñez's daughter: "My mother almost did it."
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Further comment from her daughter Carolina Ribera Áñez. eldeber.com.bo/pais/hija-de-jeanine-anez-mi-madre-casi-lo-logra-le-han-hecho-varios-puntos_244078
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The Bolivian government, via Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo, has described medical and psychological treatment provided to Áñez. @LaRazon_Bolivia/1429231841777750020
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Bolivian government message: "The conditions of Ms. Jeanine Áñez's detention do not present any danger to her health. She has medical personnel at her disposition." Her daughter is inside the prison with her.
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Min Gob Eduardo del Castillo: "I regret to inform the Bolivian people that Ms. Jeanine Áñez has attempted to injure herself overnight. Nevertheless, we declare that her health is completely stable." la-razon.com/nacional/2021/08/21/el-comandante-de-la-policia-cree-que-anez-solo-busca-generar-repercusion-mediatica/
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Dueling responses as opposition leader @tutoquiroga pleads for "Humanity, for the love of God," while National Police commander Jhonny Aguilera says "We understand that she did it as a cry for attention." eldeber.com.bo/pais/intento-de-suicidio-de-jeanine-humanidad-por-dios-es-el-pedido-a-arce-mientras-el-jefe-de-la-policia_244048
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Prison authorities will allow Áñez's family to stay with her overnight "until she recovers." Will allow access to family nutritionist, psychologist. paginasiete.bo/nacional/2021/8/22/regimen-penitenciario-autoriza-que-un-familiar-pernocte-con-anez-hasta-que-se-recupere-304779.html Her son joined her last night and reports that she is in higher spirits. paginasiete.bo/nacional/2021/8/22/hijo-de-anez-pasa-la-noche-en-el-penal-afirma-que-la-exmandataria-esta-de-mejor-animo-304780.html
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UN Office in Bolivia has visited Áñez, says prison authorities "must implement whole strategies for attention to and prevention of self-harm and suicide" by prisoners. Say they are encouraged by steps so far. brujuladigital.net/politica/onu-bolivia-convoca-al-gobierno-a-resguardar-la-salud-y-vida-de-anez
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After much back-and-forth over parliamentarians' access to Áñez, a bipartisan delegation from the legislature's Human Rights Committee will visit tomorrow morning. @noticiasfides/1430624658479587330