The Judge sent Venezuelan dissenter Leopoldo López to Ramo Verde jail and ordered to capture Carlos Vecchio, the national political coordinator of political Voluntad Popular party
 |
JUAN FRANCISCO ALONSO | EL UNIVERSAL
Saturday February 22, 2014 12:00 AM
Versatile. Such term suits to a tee for Deputy Diosdado Cabello. The Speaker of the Venezuelan National Assembly has lately combined his incumbency at the legislature and as the head of ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) with his efforts against food smuggling, including the removal of 43 military officers, and his role as anchorman of a TV program.
If all that was not enough, the pro-government lawmaker was seen down the corridors at Caracas courthouse, together with opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was brought in the 16th Control Judge, behaving like a public prosecutor, police agent or bailiff.
The weird situation took unawares more than one at the courthouse, even more so when Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz declared via Twitter: "In the next hours, the Public Prosecutor Ministry will bring in court citizen Leopoldo López, ensuring all his rights." In this way, she clarified that only public prosecutors would be taking such step, as set forth in the law.
Hours earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro disclosed that Cabello had dealt with the surrender of the ex Chacao mayor, held liable for recent disturbances, to ensure his life against a potential attempt on his life. Further, President Maduro said that the congressman would drive López in his own vehicle to the selected jail. At the end of the day, that did not happen though and the police did their work accordingly.
For emeritus magistrate of the Criminal Court of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, Blanca Rosa Mármol de León, the action means "clear interference of the legislature in the judiciary and could even be construed as pressure. He (Cabello) had nothing to do in the court."
Unknown whereabouts
Following rumors and versions according to which López's appearance before the 16th Caracas Control Judge Ralenys Tovar would be postponed, and that he was held either in the prison cells of the political police (Bolivarian Intelligence Service, Sebin) or Ramo Verde military jail (Los Teques, the capital city of central Miranda state), on Wednesday, February 19, after 4:00 p.m., the dissenter was taken to the courthouse.
According to sources, the transfer was quite a feat. "Firstly, they went to La Carlota (airport, northeast Caracas) and from there, they took a helicopter to Fuerte Tiuna (military base, southwest Caracas); next, he was taken by car," said an informer. "López's wife, mother and father always accompanied him," the source added.
Nevertheless, the appearance was not held as initially scheduled. There, Judge Tovar should decide either on remand in custody or a less serious measure for the dissenter while public prosecutors ascertain if he was involved in the violent events occurring after the march of last February 12, resulting in three fatalities and more than 60 people injured.
The reason? López's counsels for the defense requested an adjournment and the official accepted. Likewise, she ordered the transfer of the opposition leader to Ramo Verde military jail.
Cabello's involvement in the action against López was not the only weird thing. None of the national guards who brought López in the courthouse drafted the notice of apprehension, even though they had three hours to complete it.
By nightfall, the same court issued a bench warrant against Carlos Vecchio, the national political coordinator of political Voluntad Popular party.
Translated by Conchita Delgado Rivas
If all that was not enough, the pro-government lawmaker was seen down the corridors at Caracas courthouse, together with opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was brought in the 16th Control Judge, behaving like a public prosecutor, police agent or bailiff.
The weird situation took unawares more than one at the courthouse, even more so when Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz declared via Twitter: "In the next hours, the Public Prosecutor Ministry will bring in court citizen Leopoldo López, ensuring all his rights." In this way, she clarified that only public prosecutors would be taking such step, as set forth in the law.
Hours earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro disclosed that Cabello had dealt with the surrender of the ex Chacao mayor, held liable for recent disturbances, to ensure his life against a potential attempt on his life. Further, President Maduro said that the congressman would drive López in his own vehicle to the selected jail. At the end of the day, that did not happen though and the police did their work accordingly.
For emeritus magistrate of the Criminal Court of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, Blanca Rosa Mármol de León, the action means "clear interference of the legislature in the judiciary and could even be construed as pressure. He (Cabello) had nothing to do in the court."
Unknown whereabouts
Following rumors and versions according to which López's appearance before the 16th Caracas Control Judge Ralenys Tovar would be postponed, and that he was held either in the prison cells of the political police (Bolivarian Intelligence Service, Sebin) or Ramo Verde military jail (Los Teques, the capital city of central Miranda state), on Wednesday, February 19, after 4:00 p.m., the dissenter was taken to the courthouse.
According to sources, the transfer was quite a feat. "Firstly, they went to La Carlota (airport, northeast Caracas) and from there, they took a helicopter to Fuerte Tiuna (military base, southwest Caracas); next, he was taken by car," said an informer. "López's wife, mother and father always accompanied him," the source added.
Nevertheless, the appearance was not held as initially scheduled. There, Judge Tovar should decide either on remand in custody or a less serious measure for the dissenter while public prosecutors ascertain if he was involved in the violent events occurring after the march of last February 12, resulting in three fatalities and more than 60 people injured.
The reason? López's counsels for the defense requested an adjournment and the official accepted. Likewise, she ordered the transfer of the opposition leader to Ramo Verde military jail.
Cabello's involvement in the action against López was not the only weird thing. None of the national guards who brought López in the courthouse drafted the notice of apprehension, even though they had three hours to complete it.
By nightfall, the same court issued a bench warrant against Carlos Vecchio, the national political coordinator of political Voluntad Popular party.
Translated by Conchita Delgado Rivas
0 comments:
Post a Comment