Genocide Trial Resumes in Bolivia http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/july/12/latinamerica110071201.htm

Sucre, Bolivia - The Black October trial resumes Monday after a deferment requested due to the illness of one of the defendants.Gen. Juan Veliz, detained at the San Roque penitentiary, was the plaintiff who requested the postponement, said Angel Irusta, president of the Sentencing Tribunal of the Supreme Court. In the trial, former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and various of his administration officials face genocide charges related to a massacre of 68 people on Oct. 17, 2003,

when thousands of people in El Alto participated in an anti-government protest. Military repression of the demonstration resulted in the 68 dead and more than 400 injured. Sanchez de Lozada, who resigned, and several other defendants, fled to other countries and have not been extradited.The trial will not be affected by the death of former government ninister Yerko Kukoc, another defendant, said the Attorney Generals Office.The victims relatives condemned what they called maneuvers to delay the trial.

Efforts are underway to delay the trial until the Supreme Court is dissolved and gives way to the Supreme Tribunal, whose members are to be elected in October, said Juan Quispe, president of the Association of Relatives of the October Victims. Family members organized a vigil outside the Supreme Court to prevent new witnesses, who are being used solely to deliberately delay the process, Quispe said. Corrupt judges and doctors are also delaying justice, because, for example, Velizas recovery was confirmed by medical certificates, he added.According to Quispe, the Sentencing Tribunal should stay firm and not allow any more suspensions on any grounds.