'Incompetent justice': Ruth Nina did not testify, and the judge referred her case to Chapare

Ruth Nina, a fervent supporter of former dictator Evo Morales, did not appear to testify at the Prosecutor's Office in Cochabamba on Friday. Her case was transferred to Chapare following a decision by Criminal Court No. 8.

The judicial authority declared itself incompetent to continue with the case. It stated that the threats against the TSE were made in Lauca Ñ, an area in the Cochabamba tropics. For that reason, it ordered the case to be sent to Shinahota.

The complaint was filed by the National Committee for the Defense of Democracy (Conade). This organization stated that Nina may have committed crimes by stating that on August 17 "they will count bodies, not votes". Such statements were released during a political meeting of the "evismo" movement.

The event took place in Lauca Ñ, a stronghold of former president Evo Morales. For this reason, she is accused of incitement, threats, and electoral crimes.

The Prosecutor's Office accepted the complaint and summoned Nina to testify. The summons was scheduled for last Friday in the city of Cochabamba.

However, the leader of the now-defunct Pan-Bol did not appear. She claimed that her case had already been transferred to another jurisdiction. Her defense argued that it was not appropriate to appear before a court without jurisdiction.

Nina's lawyer stated that the judicial decision was legal and final. He explained that, according to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the facts must be investigated where they were committed. He added that this is not an attempt to evade justice.

According to the attorney, the complaint lacks solid legal grounds. He clarified that Nina doesn't live in Cercado, but in another region.

Conade requested Nina's arrest

Meanwhile, Conade rejected the decision of the Cochabamba court. Its representatives assert that Nina does reside in the city of Cochabamba. They announced that they will present evidence to prove it to the authorities.

Additionally, they demanded that her immediate arrest be ordered. They believe there is an attempt at political cover-up.

The court ruling states that no evidence was found to prove that the incident occurred in Cercado. Instead, it indicates that the statements were made in Lauca Ñ.

The document states that this location falls under the jurisdiction of the Shinahota court. Consequently, referring the case was the appropriate action. The Prosecutor's Office complied with that order.

Nina denied committing a crime

Ruth Nina called a press conference on the same day she was supposed to testify. She stated that she did not commit any crime with her words. She criticized the attempt to criminalize political speeches.

She maintained that all of this is due to persecution because of her affinity with Evo Morales, who is accused of pedophilia. She said that she should even carry a dictionary to avoid being misunderstood.

The leader reiterated that she expressed her rejection of the exclusion of Evo Morales and Pan-Bol from the electoral process. In that context, she made the controversial warning about votes and bodies.

Her lawyers stated that it was a controversial phrase, but not a criminal one. They argued that freedom of expression must be protected. They criticized the attempt to use the criminal justice system as a political punishment.

Currently, there are three complaints against her for the same incident. These were filed in the departments of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba. So far, only the one in Cochabamba had formally progressed.

The transfer to Shinahota is causing concern among sectors that fear an irregular closure of the case. Nina's political closeness to the "evismo" movement fuels those suspicions.

The judge declared herself incompetent

The judge in Cochabamba based her decision on established legal criteria. She indicated that it is not possible to process a case in an area without jurisdiction. Nina's defense used that argument to justify her absence.

They also stated that they have already notified their willingness to testify in Chapare. They assert that there is no intention to flee or hide.

The Cochabamba tropics are considered a stronghold of the "evismo" movement. Many opposition members warn that this region offers conditions to protect figures close to Morales. For this reason, the transfer of the case caused a wave of criticism.

Organizations such as Conade denounce bias in the judicial system. They insist that an impartial process must be guaranteed.

The "evismo" movement supports the threats

Vicente Choque, an "evista" leader, warned that there is an attempt to detain Nina. He stated that they have even received alerts about possible operations.

For this reason, he announced that activists will escort the leader if she goes to testify. He stated that they are already coordinating with Chapare bases. For them, this is a struggle against political repression.

The complainants insist that Nina is being favored by transferring the case to Chapare. They warn that the change of jurisdiction will hinder the case.

They believe there is enough evidence to order her arrest. They maintain that her absence was a serious offense. They expect the Prosecutor's Office to act impartially.

In the midst of this situation, the Public Prosecutor's Office has not issued a new summons. It has also not confirmed the exact date when Nina's testimony will be resumed.

Meanwhile, the controversy continues to grow. The "evista" leader keeps her defiant stance. The justice system, meanwhile, benefited her by transferring the case.