Prosecutors open three investigations into recruitment of Bolivians for Russia-Ukraine war

Bolivian prosecutors have launched three separate investigations into the alleged trafficking of Bolivian nationals for recruitment as combatants in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The cases, all initiated in Santa Cruz, involve a total of 16 alleged victims, and authorities have identified one suspect believed to be an intermediary or recruiter.

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Three cases are open in Santa Cruz: the first is from May, the second complaint is from this month (July); and the last one, which is not yet under judicial control, but the reception of informative interviews has already begun to open the case. This is in a community in Santa Cruz, Rincón de Palometas, where we have also proceeded to interview the relatives of the alleged victims.

The first case was reported in May, with a second and third reported in July. The most recent case is still in the information-gathering phase before a formal opening. The recruitment is said to have occurred in the Rincón de Palometas community within the Rosa del Sara municipality, where prosecutors and police have interviewed relatives of the alleged victims.

According to prosecutor Alejandra Rocha Villarroel, the first case involves one identified victim, the second case six victims, and the third case nine victims. To reconstruct the routes taken by those allegedly recruited, the Public Ministry has issued requests for information to telecommunications companies and travel agencies. This aims to determine the travel paths of the victims, both within transit countries and their final destination.

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In the first case, we have identified one victim; in the second case, six victims; and in the third case, nine victims.

While reports have surfaced on social media and in other media outlets suggesting similar cases in different departments, the Public Ministry has only received formal complaints in Santa Cruz. However, the prosecutor's office stated it is prepared to handle complaints from any of Bolivia's nine departments. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the whereabouts of the individuals and confirm if they indeed left the country.

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Requests have been issued in the three cases to telecommunications companies, travel agencies, to see what the route would have been that these victims would have taken both in the country of destination and in the transit country.