This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-43642157
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bolivia ex-leader 'responsible for protesters' deaths' | Bolivia ex-leader 'responsible for protesters' deaths' |
(12 days later) | |
A jury in the United States has found Bolivian ex-President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada responsible for the deaths of dozens of protesters in 2003. | A jury in the United States has found Bolivian ex-President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada responsible for the deaths of dozens of protesters in 2003. |
His then Defence Minister, Carlos Sánchez, was also found responsible in the civil lawsuit. Their lawyers said they would appeal against the decision. | |
The plaintiffs accused the two men of ordering the Bolivian military to use force to break up the 2003 protests. | The plaintiffs accused the two men of ordering the Bolivian military to use force to break up the 2003 protests. |
The victims' families were awarded $10m (£7m) in damages. | The victims' families were awarded $10m (£7m) in damages. |
The families welcomed the decision saying it gave them "great satisfaction". They also expressed the hope that it would not be overturned on appeal. | The families welcomed the decision saying it gave them "great satisfaction". They also expressed the hope that it would not be overturned on appeal. |
The case was brought under a law that permits civil suits in US courts for extrajudicial killings. | The case was brought under a law that permits civil suits in US courts for extrajudicial killings. |
'October massacre' | 'October massacre' |
The lawsuit was brought by eight families whose loved ones died during protests against plans to export natural gas from Bolivia to the US. | The lawsuit was brought by eight families whose loved ones died during protests against plans to export natural gas from Bolivia to the US. |
At least 67 people were killed and more than 400 people were injured when soldiers opened fire during the protests in the city of El Alto, near La Paz. | At least 67 people were killed and more than 400 people were injured when soldiers opened fire during the protests in the city of El Alto, near La Paz. |
Five former top military officers and two former ministers were sentenced to jail over what is known as the "October massacre" in 2011. | Five former top military officers and two former ministers were sentenced to jail over what is known as the "October massacre" in 2011. |
Bolivia has long been seeking the extradition of Mr Sánchez de Lozada and Mr Sánchez, who moved to the US shortly after the violent suppression of the protests. | Bolivia has long been seeking the extradition of Mr Sánchez de Lozada and Mr Sánchez, who moved to the US shortly after the violent suppression of the protests. |
The protests against his free-market policies, including the planned export of Bolivian natural gas, prompted Mr Sánchez de Lozada's resignation only one year into his five-year term. | The protests against his free-market policies, including the planned export of Bolivian natural gas, prompted Mr Sánchez de Lozada's resignation only one year into his five-year term. |
His successor in office, Carlos Mesa, called a referendum on how best to exploit the country's huge natural gas reserves in order to defuse the protests. | His successor in office, Carlos Mesa, called a referendum on how best to exploit the country's huge natural gas reserves in order to defuse the protests. |
An overwhelming majority voted in favour of the state regaining control over the gas sector, which had been opened up to private investors, and against exporting natural gas. | An overwhelming majority voted in favour of the state regaining control over the gas sector, which had been opened up to private investors, and against exporting natural gas. |
Previous version
1
Next version