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Bolivian politician free to campaign, from jail

Posted on October 21, 2009 at 11:31 AM

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LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian election officials say a jailed opposition politician can campaign for vice president from behind bars.

Former Pando state Gov. Leopoldo Fernandez is being held without charges while authorities investigate a clash that killed at least 15 people on his government's watch.

Bolivia's National Electoral Court announced Tuesday that Fernandez can campaign from a La Paz jail because he is detained as a precautionary measure and has not been charged.

The September 2008 killings took place in Bolivia's eastern lowlands amid tensions between backers of President Evo Morales and proponents of greater regional autonomy.

Fernandez and his presidential running mate trail Morales substantially ahead of the December vote.

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