Bolivian court issues arrest warrant for former President Morales

A Bolivian court has issued an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales, who is accused of sexually assaulting minors.

Former President Morales had a sexual assault relationship with a teenage girl in 2015 while she was president, according to Bolivian law, and was known to have a child with the victim.

In response, Morales has denied the charges and refused to appear in court, calling them a judicial vendetta against current President Luis Arce, who was once a comrade and is now a political opponent.

Morales has built his estate in central Bolivia's Chapare province and stayed at the headquarters of the coca growers' organization, building a triple cordon and avoiding arrest.

Prosecutors investigating the case say they will also investigate former President Morales' absence from the court for criminal charges.