Bolivian Activist Nadia Beller Released from Hospital as Investigation into Armed Attack Continues

Nadia Beller, a Bolivian lawyer and activist, was discharged from a private clinic on Saturday after five days of hospitalization following an armed attack on August 17. Beller left the medical center in a wheelchair under police escort and stated that her life remains at risk. The prosecutor's office has implemented protection measures for her and requested a supplementary statement once her health permits. Beller was shot three times in an attack that occurred in front of the Swissôtel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where two men on a motorcycle fired at her and stole her phone and purse.

Fernando Cerimedo, a political advisor and Beller's former partner, is currently held in preventive detention at the Palmasola prison. Prosecutors have accused him of being the intellectual author of an attempted femicide, linking the attack to a context of gender violence and Beller's four week pregnancy. Cerimedo's defense has rejected these claims and denied that he attempted to flee to Argentina. Additionally, police conducted raids at properties linked to Cerimedo, leading to a separate investigation into alleged illicit enrichment after discovering significant sums of cash in various currencies and numerous mobile phones.

Law enforcement has made new arrests related to the case. One man, identified as Roger A. C. was detained for allegedly providing the firearm used in the attack. A Colombian national, identified as Victor Hugo C. Z. voluntarily surrendered to police after being named as a possible material author, though he has denied any involvement. Prosecutors are continuing to analyze mobile phone data and forensic reports on the weapon's caliber and trajectory to establish direct links between the detainees and the crime.