The non-governmental organization Criminal Forum reported on Tuesday that, despite the releases registered in recent weeks, they still remain in Venezuela 1,794 political prisonersmostly detained during post-election protests against the official results that confirmed the dictator Nicolas Maduro.
According to the Penal Forum, of the total number of detainees, 1,589 are men and 205 are womenof which 1,632 are civilians and 162 are military. In addition, the NGO documented three recent arrests of minors, between the ages of 14 and 17.
The vice president of the NGO, Gonzalo Himiobexplained that, despite the releases, there is still no complete number of people released, since the Prosecutor’s Office did not publish an official list of names, which prevented full verification by the organization.
Last Monday, the Public Ministry (MP) announced the release of 413 personas detained during the post-election crisis, leading to 1.369 the number of those released since a “permanent case verification process” began together with the regime’s Judiciary.
According to a statement from the MP, between December 26 and 30, reviews of measures that allowed these releases were carried out. However, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners denounced that those released from prison are required sign a document in which they declare that their human rights were respectedwarning that if they do not do so they will not receive the release ticket issued by the courts.
In the prison of stumpwhere they still remain imprisoned around 500 political prisonersrelatives protested on Tuesday demanding the immediate release of all detainees.
According to the NGO, The inmates reported being victims of insults, threats and humiliating words by the prison authoritieswho also warned of delaying releases if the demonstrations continue.
According to official data, after the elections around 2.400 personasa figure higher than that recorded by the Penal Forum, since said NGO excludes those who consider that they committed a crime or whose cases were not reported by family members.
He Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP) He demanded that the State grant “unrestricted” freedom to those who were classified as arbitrarily detained before and after the presidential elections.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Many relatives of political prisoners are “desperate in the face of promises of release that do not come to fruition.” and they long to welcome the new year with their loved ones.
(With information from EFE)
