The Union of Press Workers (SNTP) is alarmed by the fact that the latter do not have the right to a private defense.
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In Venezuela, four journalists arrested during the protests that took place after the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela have been charged with “terrorism”announced the Union of Press Workers (SNTP) on Wednesday, August 7. “We denounce the illegal and arbitrary use of anti-terrorism laws in Venezuela, particularly against journalists detained during the post-election protests in the country,” the union said in a statement posted on social media.
Photographers Yousner Alvarado and Deisy Pena, cameraman Paul Leon and journalist José Gregorio Carneiro were imprisoned, reported SNTP, expressing concern that “the use of private defense was refused.”
Those arrested also include opposition leaders, including journalist Roland Carreno, an activist with the Voluntad Popular (VP) party, who has not been charged with any of the crimes. “terrorism”.
The prosecutor’s office also said it had opened a criminal investigation against opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. In a joint statement released Tuesday, they called on the military to fall into line. “on the side of the people”.
The unrest that followed the proclamation of victory by outgoing President Nicolas Maduro has left 24 dead, according to a report updated Tuesday by human rights organizations. Nicolas Maduro himself announced the death of two members of the National Guard and the arrest of more than 2,200 people.
The National Electoral Council ratified Nicolas Maduro’s victory on Friday with 52% of the vote, without however making public all the minutes of the polling stations, assuring that it had been the victim of computer hacking. However, according to the opposition, which published the minutes obtained thanks to its scrutineers, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the presidential election with 67% of the vote. The outgoing president rejects the validity of these minutes.