Four investigations confirmed in Bolivia over alleged Russian recruitment for war

La Paz, Bolivia - Bolivia's Attorney General, Roger Mariaca, confirmed on Monday that the Public Ministry is pursuing four separate investigations across three regions concerning the alleged recruitment of individuals by Russia for its war against Ukraine. These probes aim to address potential human trafficking for military purposes.

Two of these investigations are centered in Santa Cruz, the country's most populous region, where authorities have identified at least 16 individuals believed to be victims. Additional investigations are underway in the Amazonian department of Beni and the southern region of Tarija. The alleged crime is being investigated as "human trafficking for recruitment into armed conflicts."

Mariaca stated that identified victims will receive support through the Unit for Protection of Victims and Witnesses. Bolivia has activated international aid mechanisms and engaged with the Ibero-American Network of Prosecutors Specialized in Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (Redtram) to further these inquiries. In one case, a primary recruiter has been identified, and an arrest warrant has been issued.

Further developments include a judge ordering the pre-trial detention of three individuals in Santa Cruz for 60 days, linked to the main suspect, identified as A.A.M. These investigations originated from public reports about alleged networks offering overseas employment that, in reality, sought to enlist Bolivian citizens for foreign armed conflicts. The Public Ministry has requested information from Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Russia to locate Bolivians allegedly recruited and identify responsible parties. The Russian Embassy in Bolivia has categorically denied any involvement, calling the accusations baseless.