(Caracas) The director of the human rights NGO Fundaredes, Javier Tarazona, arrested in July 2021, remains in detention and a new hearing of his trial will take place on December 5, the judge of the Third Terrorism Court decided on Tuesday from Caracas.
The defense of Mr. Tarazona, who has become a media figure, filed motions for a nullity and the judge scheduled a new hearing to respond to them.
Mr. Tarazona, who says he has health problems, is accused of “terrorism,” “treason” and “incitement to hatred.”
“It’s a political trial. This is a generic accusation, there are no concrete facts. It’s an incredible situation,” Me Miguel Forero leaving the hearing which had been postponed several times.
He also indicated that Mr. Tarazona had been “tortured” and beaten at the start of his detention.
Mr. Tarazona is the most emblematic figure of the “300 political prisoners” in Venezuela whose release Amnesty International is calling for.
Very well informed about the border area, Fundaredes had notably alerted in 2021 about the clashes between groups of Colombian irregulars and the Venezuelan army before the power of President Nicolas Maduro reported them.
Fundaredes accused the government of harboring Colombian guerrilla leaders on Venezuelan territory and of maintaining links with that of the ELN (National Liberation Army).
The situation is very unstable on a large part of the 2,200 kilometers of common border between Venezuela and Colombia with the presence of guerrillas, armed groups and drug traffickers.