Mexico Grants Diplomatic Asylum to Nadia Beller, Digi Mart USA News (Bolivia): Mexico has granted diplomatic asylum to Nadia Beller, the former partner of Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, who survived a gunshot attack in Bolivia on August 17.
Bolivian Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo said Bolivian authorities raised no objections to the Mexican request. He clarified, however, that the decision does not mean the investigation into Beller’s conduct and her relationship with the case will be abandoned.
Beller, 33, was hit by three bullets during an armed attack in Santa Cruz. From the hospital, she accused Cerimedo of organizing the attack to prevent her from revealing information about her relationship with members of Bolivia’s political power.
Following her accusation, the Argentine strategist was detained and investigated for his alleged participation in the incident.
Beller also denounced alleged corruption in the circle of President Rodrigo Paz and said she was being harassed by authorities. In recent weeks she questioned the progress of the case and requested the removal of the police protection assigned to her.
The investigation has also been drawn into another controversy following the arrest of former Attorney General Roger Mariaca, who was handling the proceedings against Cerimedo. The former official remains in preventive detention while being investigated for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering.
With the asylum granted, Beller may leave Bolivia once the safe-conduct pass is issued, while the judicial investigation into the armed attack continues.
