Hi °C | Lo °C The family of an Irish bodyguard shot dead by Bolivian security forces over an alleged presidential assassination plot will today press United Nations chiefs for an investigation into his killing.
Michael Dwyer's relatives will meet UN officials in Geneva attached to the office of Christof Heyns, special rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, to call for an inquiry into the April 16, 2009, death. Police in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, said Mr Dwyer was one of three men they killed in a hotel shoot-out after they uncovered a right-wing plot against president Evo Morales.
During the meeting with Mr Heyns' office, the family will present the findings of an autopsy conducted by state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, as well as an independent report by a UK forensics expert.
Both indicate that Mr Dwyer was shot in the heart. The 24-year-old from Co Tipperary had gone to Bolivia to take up work in personal security.
The family have accused the Bolivian government of concocting the terrorism allegation.
