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Bolivia’s Top Court Annuls Áñez’s 10-Year Sentence and Orders Her Immediate Release

Justices cited due-process violations, directing any future case to the Legislature’s trial-of-responsibilities route.

Overview

  • The Supreme Tribunal’s plenary voted 7–2 to void the 2022 “Golpe II” conviction, citing violations of due process and legal safeguards.
  • A La Paz penal-execution judge must issue the release order after verifying no other detentions, ending more than four years of custody since March 2021.
  • Any prosecution must now proceed through a juicio de responsabilidades that requires prior authorization from Congress before the high court can hear it.
  • Áñez’s family and lawyers said they expect her to leave Miraflores prison on Thursday and that she plans to attend President-elect Rodrigo Paz’s inauguration.
  • Opposition leaders hailed the ruling as a correction in the justice system, while victims’ groups said they will seek accountability for the 2019 violence via the legislative route.