Law360 Covers Historic Bolivian Human Rights Case, Quotes Akin Pro Bono Partner on Settlement
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Akin pro bono partner Steven Schulman was quoted by Law360 for “Bolivian Ex-President Inks Deal To End Suit Over '03 Protests.” The article covers the recent deal to settle a historic 16-year-long legal fight waged by the relatives of eight indigenous Bolivians who were murdered in 2003 by government troops under the command of former President Gonzalo Daniel Sánchez de Lozada Sánchez and former Defense Minister José Carlos Sánchez Berzaín.
The two men fled to the United States after the massacre and were sued in Florida federal court by the relatives in 2007. A Florida jury found for the plaintiffs, awarding them $10 million, in the first time in history that a former head of state had to face their victims in a U.S. human rights trial. Akin has served as co-counsel through both trial and appellate proceedings.
The settlement provides compensation for the families and blocks further action against Sánchez de Lozada and Sánchez Berzaín, who, per the terms of the settlement, do not admit responsibility for the massacre.
Steven said, “We are thrilled that after more than 16 years of litigation, and 20 years after the murder of our clients' wives, daughters, husbands and fathers at the hands of the Bolivian military, justice has finally been served.”
To learn more about this matter, click here to read the full Akin release.
