Paraguay tense ahead of former strongman Oviedo's return

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2004

ASUNCION (AFP) — Paraguayan authorities imposed tight security ahead of Tuesday's return of former military commander Lino Oviedo to fight charges of leading a failed coup and killing a vice president.

Oviedo has been in exile in Brazil for five years. He has insisted he is returning to prove his innocence.

But President Nicanor Duarte has ordered Oviedo's detention as soon as he arrives as Asuncion's main airport, a military spokesman said.

Duarte has ordered the airport to be surrounded and that only airline passengers will be allowed to enter the terminal on Tuesday. Hundreds of extra police have been put on duty on main streets in Asuncion.

A court martial sentenced Oviedo to 10 years in jail in 1998 for the 1996 coup attempt. This was confirmed...