By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia – An inquest into the shooting death of Irishman Michael Dwyer, Eduardo Rozsa Flores, and Arpad Magyarosi by Bolivian police returned an open verdict this week. Dwyer, Flores, and Magyarosi were killed in a raid on a hotel on April 16 and are suspected to have links to a far-right group thought to be responsible for attacks on indigenous Bolivians, including a plot to kill Bolivian president, Evo Morales.

A lawyer for the Dwyer family has called the Bolivian police reporting on the raid and nature of the deaths into question.  The Bolivian police initially reported that the men died in a shoot out and that Dwyer was shot six times.  However, the an autopsy performed in Ireland revealed that Dwyer was shot just once in the heart. The inquest heard reports that the men were asleep when the shooting took place. The Irish government has requested an international investigation into the deaths.

Bolivia’s ambassador to the UK, Beatriz Souviron said told the inquest that Dwyer’s plain ticket to Bolivia was paid for by a businessman who was subsequently arrested for being a part of a separatist terrorist movement.  According to Souviron, the three men were under investigation for a bomb attack at the home of a Bolivian cardinal and the discovery of a cache of arms and explosives.

Dwyer reportedly went to Bolivia to take classes in personal security and protection, but decided to stay after the classes ended because he found work.  Rozsa and Magyarosi are Bolivian citizens of Hungarian and Romanian decent. Rozsa holds dual citizenship with Croatia and Magyarosi holds dual citizenship with Hungary.

Dyer’s parents believe that he came under the influence of Rozca after meeting his supporters while doing security work in Ireland.Flores, a known anti-semite, joined Croatian forces when war broke out in the former Yugoslavia. He led an armed group that attracted many foreign right-wing elements.

In an interview in April of 2009, Flores said he had been called to Bolivia to to set up a militia to protect Santa Cruz. He claimed to be ready to proclaim independence and create a new country.

Evo Morales commented that he would be happy for a “transparent” investigation to take place.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Irishman Michael Dwyer Killed in Bolivia was Linked to Bomb Attack, Inquest Told – 14 October 2009

Belfast Telegraph – Bolivia to Allow Probe into the Death Riddle of Shot Irishman – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Parents Learned of Dwyer’s Death from Journalists – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Dwyer Inquest Returns Open Verdict – 13 October 2009