MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Hard-line opposition leader Lopez on trial; defense evidence thrown out
The trial against Venezuelan hard-line opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who is accused of inciting violence at anti-government protests has began in Caracas. Lopez could face up to 13 years in jail if convicted. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesThis is an absolute scandal.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 12:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0“hard-line opposition leader ”,
....after he spoke at a demonstration that turned violent and marked the start of three months of deadly street protests.
he is accused of treason?
So, pre-judice...
“Maduro told foreign correspondents that López “has to pay for his crimes” and accused him of being responsible for the “loss of life” during protests.”
see above.
and
“He has to pay and will pay, it's that simple” says Maduro. So no bias then?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-28472220
This is a total kangaroo-court.
As for Mercopress “Their bloc of hardliners has opposed dialogue with the government ”
They did not, they just refuse to participate in a mockery of a so-called dialogue where they were not permitted to speak, so withdrew.
more background here;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-28472220
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-28472220
Did anyone expect him to get a fair trial?
Jul 25th, 2014 - 12:37 am - Link - Report abuse 0Not really, to be frank, I have been expecting this for a long time.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 01:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0One of the few remaining quality newspapers in Vnzla reported this back in Feb.
EL UNIVERSAL
Thursday February 27, 2014 03:35 PM
“The principal human rights abuses” recorded in Venezuela included “corruption, politicization of the judicial system, and government actions to impede freedom of expression and restrict freedom of the press,” reported on Thursday the US State Department.
More here
http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140227/us-government-laments-politicization-of-venezuelan-judiciary
Venenezuela and Argentine Courts are some of the most currupt worldwide. They are the most politically influenced on the planet:
”The World Economic Forum (WEF) gave Latin America a red card after reviewing its independent judiciary. The Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 published by the Swiss-based organization describes a concerning scenario for this region. It ranks the judicial systems of Venezuela, Paraguay, and Argentina among the worst on the planet.”
http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140227/us-government-laments-politicization-of-venezuelan-judiciary
I must say that I am amazed this man is still alive, if only to allow MADuro to show how “strong” he is at dealing with the “traitors”.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 11:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0It's like the opposite of Alice in Wonderland: who knows what is going to happen next other than it won't be good and will send the country further down the Rabbit Hole.
Completely unacceptable, even in SA and that's saying something.
The result is a given...he will be locked away, out of sight. Where are the protestors? Time for the people to demand...again their rights. I imagine Madman is loving the distractions created for him around the world...he can now get away with murder.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 12:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It looks like the world may be getting another prisoner of conscious.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 01:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This man is being locked up simply because he is in opposition to government.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the profits! That's what a democracy is, a government and an opposition questioning, monitoring and holding the government accountable for their actions, that's their role!!!!!!
I wonder how many of of Venezualas so called democratic brothers will speak out against this show trial?
My guess is none, all real democracies and lovers of democracy need to support this heroic man, the worst thing any of us can do is forget him.
Someone needs to start an international campaign and where the hell are Amnesty International????
Come on Mercopress! Tell it like it is!
Jul 25th, 2014 - 02:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Writing that “the opposition leader would wait for his trial at the suburban prison of Ramo Verde” is misleading. Even sounds like he is resting in some form of open-prison.
True, Ramo Verde is not city-central/downtown and is on the outskirts of Caracas and therefore is perhaps 'in the suburbs'.
However, it is a Military Gaol, inside a military compound proctected by hundreds of troops.
Lovely photo here:
http://difundir.org/2014/06/13/envian-a-ramo-verde-a-exmilitar-detenido-en-protesta/
(the article also mentions so other opposition mayors/politicians etc being detained there)
He is not in a normal civilian prison because these are controlled internally by the various prison mafia and the gangs. The authorities only contol them externally. Also, thousands of students are being illegally held in these for protesting against the state. Imagine the powder-keg if they shoved him into one of those!
The State is very frightened of this man. Hence The President denouncing him live on TV, saying he must pay for his crimes.
Umm, no trial so far. So not found guilty. So not 'payment' required.
No wonder Maduro is denounced as a dictator. He already rules by decree and is now on state-controlled TV telling the people that this man is guilty PRE-JUDICE !!!!!
Ilsen.
Jul 25th, 2014 - 03:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thanks for that, calling it for what it is, the man is a political prisoner!
Imprisoned for his beliefs, fucking disgusting.
E-mailing my MP.
@8 Thank You.
Jul 26th, 2014 - 02:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0I see Mercopress has bumped this of the Front Page pretty quick!
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!