Striking miners reportedly kill Bolivian deputy minister

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile (AA) – Bolivia’s Deputy Interior Minister Rodolfo Illanes was killed by striking mineworkers Thursday after being kidnapped, according to local media reports.

The government has not yet confirmed Illanes’ death but the director of a local miner radio station, Moises Flores told radio Erbol that he saw the body.

"We have been able to see close up that vice-minister Illanes was dead. Colleagues told us that he had died of a beating," Flores said, adding that miners were "furious" and situation was tense.

The government of President Evo Morales earlier confirmed that Illanes had been kidnapped and was at risk of being tortured.

State prosecutor, Ramiro Guerrero said authorities are investigating the report and would speak to the media in the coming hours.

“At this time we have not confirmed the situation of this state authority … if he is still alive, or if he is suffering of a possible death,” Guerrero said during a news conference.

He also said an investigation has been opened into the crimes of kidnapping, homicide or murder regarding the case.

Illanes, 56, was kidnapped in Panduro, located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the Bolivian capital of La Paz.

The National Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Bolivia began an indefinite protest early last month after negotiations failed on mining legislation.

Miners are demanding work concessions, the right to work for private companies and more union representatives.

Workers this week engaged in violent clashes with the police resulting in 21 wounded and 32 arrests.

Two workers were killed Wednesday after being shot by police, according to the local El Deber newspaper.