Sucre (Bolivia), July 19 (IANS) Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) president Carlos Chavez and executive secretary Alberto Lozada have been arrested, accused of corruption.
“The decision has been taken to apprehend Carlos Chavez and Alberto Lozada for the existence of sufficient evidence against the men. They can defend themselves from the cells against charges of aggravated fraud,” attorney general Ramiro Guerrero said here on Saturday, reports Xinhua.
The arrests were made as part of an investigation carried out by the state attorney general into alleged corruption in national football. The investigation came across a claim of aggravated fraud involving Chavez during a friendly match against Brazil.
This latest accusation was what provoked the FBF president to be jailed alongside Lozada while awaiting a precautionary hearing. Lozada is also part of South American football confederation CONMEBOL’s disciplinary court and Chavez is the treasurer.
The two executives are facing charges of laundering illegal earnings, criminal organisation, influence-peddling, fiscal offences and aggravated fraud with multiple victims, among others.
“The work has been developed by the commission of attorneys and they are going to continue developing to arrive at the historical and material truth of the facts,” said Guerrero.
Since the investigation began on June 1, almost 40 people, including executives, former executives and club presidents, have given statements. A large quantity of information has been gathered despite the FBF’s lack of cooperation in the matter.