Bolivia Resumes Genocide Trial

Sucre, Bolivia, Jun 30. -The genocide trial for what is known as the Black October case resumed Wednesday in the Bolivian city of Sucre, after it was adjourned due to the health problems of a defendant, an official source informed.

Gen. Juan Veliz, who is being held at the San Roque Penitentiary in that city, asked for the trial's suspension, said prosecutor Milton Mendoza, who is heading the case.

The trial is in the final phase, when all the parties involved present their arguments to the court, Mendoza added.

The three former Bolivian cabinet ministers facing charges are Mirtha Quevedo (former minister of citizen's participation), Javier Torres Goitia (former health minister), and Jorge Torres Obleas (finance).

All three fled to Peru and could be extradited when President-elect Ollanta Humala is sworn in, Mendoza said.

The three men face charges of genocide, as does former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and other members of his administration, for the deaths of more than 60 people during the military repression in October 2003. (Prensa Latina)