Brazilian court orders arrest of Corinthians fans in Bolivia.
The group is being investigated for the death of 14-year-old Bolivian Kevin Douglas Beltrán Espada, who was struck by a flare fired by fans at the Jesús Bermudez Stadium, where San José and Corinthians were playing in the Copa Libertadores de América.
Flavia Albuquerque
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Sao Paulo - Bolivian authorities have ordered the pre-trial detention of 12 Brazilians arrested in the city of Oruro on the 20th. The group is being investigated for the death of 14-year-old Bolivian Kevin Douglas Beltrán Espada, who was struck by a flare fired by fans at the Jesús Bermudez Stadium, where San José and Corinthians were playing in the Copa Libertadores de América.
À Agency BrazilItamaraty informed that the preventive detention has no set term to be served. It said that it sent today (22) to Oruro the minister-counselor of the Brazilian embassy in Bolivia, Eduardo Saboia. He will meet with authorities from the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor's Office. In addition to Saboia, Itamaraty maintains in Oruro a consular agent and a legal consultant to assist Brazilians.
According to a decision by the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), which organizes the Copa Libertadores de América, Corinthians will not be allowed to have fans attending its Copa Libertadores matches for up to 60 days, a period during which the case is expected to be judged by the Confederation's Disciplinary Tribunal.
Corinthians' management has announced it will appeal the decision. "The measure hurts not only the club, but, above all, the more than 80 fans who will lose a right they acquired in advance, and who do not deserve such a penalty," the statement said.