LA PAZ (Reuters) - A former advisor to the Peruvian president who was awaiting extradition to Peru from Bolivia to face corruption charges has apparently fled from house arrest in La Paz, the Bolivian government said on Sunday.
Martin Belaunde, President Ollanta Humala's campaign adviser during his failed 2006 presidential bid, left Peru for Bolivia last year following allegations of graft and unlawful association.
"Mr Belaunde has fled from the residence where he was guarded by a team of police. It would have been at around 3 am," said Juan Ramon Quintana, President Evo Morales' chief of staff.
Bolivia has since issued a search and arrest warrant for Belaunde, a Bolivian government source said.
Belaunde's lawyer said he did not know where his client was.
"We are absolutely alarmed about what is going on. Martin Belaunde was until yesterday (Saturday) with all his guards," said his lawyer Jorge Valda on local radio.
"I think it would have been pretty difficult for him to flee with all the police sleeping in his house. Right now, it's the authorities that need to give answers," he said.
Peruvian prosecutors allege that Belaunde belongs to a vast criminal network with links to public officials.
Belaunde has denied the accusations and said he is a victim of political persecution.