El Alto Mayor Eva Copa Rejects Ponciano Santos' Apology, Insists on Political Violence Case Continuation

LA PAZ, Bolivia – The Mayor of El Alto, Eva Copa, has firmly rejected the recent retraction and apologies offered by Ponciano Santos from San Pedro prison. Santos had issued a video apology for denigrating statements he made in 2023, which led to a political violence case against him. Mayor Copa's legal representative stated that despite Santos's retraction, the legal process for political violence against women must proceed. "We have received knowledge of the retraction and a video that Mr. Ponciano Santos Kolke Cruz made this past Thursday," the lawyer explained. "However, the Public Ministry can continue ex officio, and the victim has the full predisposition to accept or reject these apologies if they are not specifically in accordance with the procedure." The legal team emphasized that the process is governed by Law 348, which does not allow for conciliation or automatic termination of a case simply because a retraction is made. A hearing for precautionary measures is scheduled for this Tuesday at 9:00 AM, where Santos's legal situation will be defined. The lawyer confirmed that Santos has been formally charged, and preventive detention in San Pedro prison for six months has been requested. "It has been very complicated to locate and notify this citizen," the lawyer added, noting that four previous hearings had been suspended. The legal team expects the hearing to proceed normally, with an ex officio lawyer appointed if Santos's legal representation is not present. The Mayor's office remains committed to seeing the legal process through, underscoring the seriousness of the political violence charges.

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