Striking miners beat minister to death

Striking miners in Bolivia kidnapped and beat to death the country's deputy interior minister, Rodolfo Illanes, after he traveled to Panduro to mediate in the bitter conflict over mining laws

La Paz: Striking miners in Bolivia kidnapped and beat to death the country's deputy interior minister, Rodolfo Illanes, after he traveled to Panduro to mediate in the bitter conflict over mining laws.

Riot policemen clash with miners in Panduro. Pic/AFP

Minister Carlos Romero called it a “cowardly and brutal killing” and asked that the body be turned over to authorities. Illanes was “savagely beaten” to death by the striking miners, said defense minister Reymi Ferreira.

The fatal beating follows the killings of two protesters in clashes with police.

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