Brazil grants asylum to Bolivian senator living in embassy

Brazil is granting asylum to a Bolivian opposition senator who has taken refuge in its embassy in La Paz, claiming political persecution and saying he feared for his life.

The decision about Roger Pinto came in a one-sentence email that did not explain Brazil’s reasoning for granting the request.

Mr Pinto, a member of Bolivia’s small right-wing opposition bloc in congress, has been living in the embassy since May 28 and accuses President Evo Morales’ government of corruption, though he has provided no evidence. He says he sought asylum after he and his family received telephoned death threats.