- The organization urged state authorities to guarantee the human rights of the national coordinator of the political party Convergencia | Main photo: EFE
The organization Amnesty International demanded the release and guarantees of human rights of the opposition leader and national coordinator of the political party Convergencia, Biagio Pilieri, who was arrested after participating in a rally called by the opposition on August 28.
In a press release, he also criticised the fact that, 14 days after Pilieri’s arrest, the opposition leader’s family and lawyers have not been able to access him because he is being held incommunicado.
Maria Livia Vasile, Pilieri’s wife, confirmed on September 5 that the opposition leader was charged with five crimes, including “terrorism,” during a hearing in which his lawyers were not present.
“My husband was brought before the court on August 30 without the presence of his trusted lawyers, with the assistance of a public defender. He was charged with five crimes: conspiracy, criminal association, incitement to hatred, terrorism and treason,” Vasile said on the social network X.
In addition, on August 31, Convergencia demanded the release of the former deputy, saying that he is an “upright person, a man committed to democracy, freedom and human rights.”
“He is not with us today, but we demand that he be released because wanting the popular will of Venezuelans to be respected is not a crime,” the party added in a post on social media.
On the arrest of Pilieri
Table of Contents
Biagio Pilieri was arrested on August 28 after participating in a rally called by the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), in rejection of the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), which ratified the results of the presidential elections given by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
It was learned that the former mayor of Chivacoa, in Yaracuy, was captured after two vehicles and two motorcycles chased him through Caracas.
The day after the arrest, Convergencia warned that officials from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) Pilieri’s residence was raidedin Yaracuy state, without offering further details of the police operation.
More arrests of opposition leaders
In addition to Pilieri, state security officials have carried out several arrests of political leaders in recent months.
Among the detained opposition leaders is Williams Dávilawho was arrested on August 8, 2024 and who would have been admitted to a health center six days later.
Likewise, relatives of Américo De Grazia, former mayor of the Piar municipality in the state of Bolívar, reported his disappearance on August 7.
“My father has been missing for 24 hours, we have no news of him, we do not know his whereabouts, we do not know his physical integrity. We are asking the relevant authorities for answers,” said María De Grazia, the politician’s daughter, through her Instagram account.
María De Grazia detailed on her social networks that after the presidential elections on July 28, her father was persecuted and harassed by supporters of the ruling party.
In addition, state security officials Maria Oropeza was arrestedcampaign chief of the Command with Venezuela in the state of Portuguesa, during the night of August 6.
Oropeza managed to broadcast live the moment in which the agents entered her home and arrested her. In the video, the officers can be seen using tools to breach the leader’s home.
Another recent case was the arrest of Freddy Superlanonational political coordinator of Voluntad Popular, who was “kidnapped” on July 30 by police officers in Caracas.
Regarding Superlano’s arrest, the Attorney General of the Republic, Tarek William Saab, assured on August 1 that the leader is “in good health,” however, he did not offer details of where he is being held.
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#Amnesty #International #demanded #release #Biagio #Pilieri
2024-09-12 10:26:33
The Detention of Biagio Pilieri: A Blow to Human Rights in Venezuela
On August 28, Biagio Pilieri, the national coordinator of the political party Convergencia, was arrested after participating in a rally called by the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), in rejection of the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), which ratified the results of the presidential elections given by the National Electoral Council (CNE). Pilieri’s arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and his party, Convergencia, who have demanded his immediate release.
Arbitrary Detention
Pilieri’s arrest was arbitrary and in violation of his human rights. He was captured after being chased by two vehicles and two motorcycles through Caracas, and his family and lawyers have been denied access to him since his detention. In a statement, Amnesty International condemned Pilieri’s arrest, calling for his release and guarantees of his human rights [[3]].
Charges and Legal Proceedings
On August 30, Pilieri was brought before a court without the presence of his trusted lawyers, and was charged with five crimes, including conspiracy, criminal association, incitement to hatred, terrorism, and treason. His wife, Maria Livia Vasile, confirmed the charges on September 5, stating that Pilieri was assisted by a public defender during the hearing [[2]].
Condemnation from Convergencia
Convergencia has demanded Pilieri’s release, calling him an “upright person, a man committed to democracy, freedom and human rights.” The party added that “wanting the popular will of Venezuelans to be respected is not a crime” [[1]].
International Response
The Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has also taken note of Pilieri’s detention, highlighting the Venezuelan government’s responsibility to guarantee his human rights [[1]]. Amnesty International has also spoken out against Pilieri’s arbitrary detention, calling for his release and guarantees of his human rights [[2]] [[3]].
Conclusion
Biagio Pilieri’s detention is a clear violation of his human rights and a blow to democracy in Venezuela. The international community must continue to pressure the Venezuelan government to guarantee Pilieri’s release and respect for his human rights. It is imperative that the Venezuelan authorities investigate the circumstances of Pilieri’s arrest and ensure that he receives a fair trial, with access to his lawyers and family.
References:
[1] Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. (2014). VEN/10 – Biagio Pilieri. Retrieved from
[2] REPORT Post-electoral and Human Rights Crisis 2024 in … (6 days ago). Retrieved from
[3] Facebook. (n.d.). Biagio Pilieri, activista político opositor, fue detenido de forma arbitraria tras participar en una concentración de la oposición … Retrieved from
