options for political prisoners from Tocorón

On By Yukito


Photo courtesy of @MarytaLeon

On Wednesday, October 9, a marathon interrogation lasting at least 15 hours took place, involving approximately 80 prisoners held at the Aragua (Tocorón) penitentiary center, who ultimately stood trial for refusing to accept an offer to plead guilty to terrorism and incitement to hatred.

Lapatilla.com correspondent

“I don’t know what would have happened if they had pleaded guilty because I think they would have been imprisoned anyway, perhaps with a lesser sentence; I don’t understand it,” said the mother of one of the detainees, from Barinas.

At 7:00 a.m., prosecutors handling the case entered the Aragua courthouse and finished at 10:00 a.m. While their loved ones were waiting, no one gave them information about what was happening.

Political prisoners had two options: confess to the crimes they were accused of (terrorism, inciting hatred) or stand trial.

“Now there is no trial date set and who knows when they will issue it,” said the uncle of another prisoner from Barinas, mentioning that his nephew has already been free for 56 days.

“They couldn’t plead guilty because they were innocent.”