Advisor to Argentina's Milei detained in Bolivia for alleged role in ex-girlfriend's shooting

Fernando Cerimedo, an advisor to Argentine President Javier Milei, has been ordered to remain in pre-trial detention for 180 days in Bolivia's Palmasola maximum-security prison. He faces accusations of instigating the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Nadia Beller.

The judge initially ordered Cerimedo to be held in Chonchocoro prison but later changed the location to Palmasola in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The decision cited "five procedural risks," including the victim's testimony and the prosecution's concerns about a flight risk. The hearing itself was delayed by over an hour due to the tardiness of the prosecutors the previous day.

Cerimedo's defense team challenged various aspects of the prosecution's case, including chat logs extracted from his phone and alleged violations of his rights, such as not informing the Argentine consulate. They also sought to nullify the charges and the arrest, which occurred at Viru Viru airport. The prosecution claims that communications from Cerimedo's phone suggest he arranged to meet Beller at the hotel where she was later shot by two alleged assailants.

Nadia Beller, a lawyer and former supporter of Evo Morales, is participating in the proceedings via teleconference from the hospital where she is being treated for gunshot wounds. She alleges that Cerimedo orchestrated the attack. The judge ultimately rejected all of the defense's motions.