Penal Forum denounced the transfer of more than 100 political prisoners from Anzoátegui

• The NGO has not yet confirmed which prison is the destination | Main photo: EFE

The non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal denounced on September 27 the transfer of more than 100 political prisoners from Anzoátegui.

Alfredo Romero, director of Foro Penal, reported that at approximately 6:00 pm the transfer of 103 political prisoners began, presumably to the San Francisco de Yare Prison, better known as Yare III (Miranda).

Likewise, Romero announced that they are confirming the destination of the transfer vehicle and that so far they have not arrived at the Tocuyito Penal Center or Carabobo Judicial Confinement Center; nor to the Aragua Penitentiary Center, better known as Tocorón.

1,867 political prisoners in Venezuela

On September 26, Foro Penal recorded that in Venezuela there are 1,867 political prisonersof which 1,723 arrests were carried out between July 29 and September 23 in the post-election context.

According to the information, the majority are adults and 68 are adolescents between 14 and 17 years of age. Regarding gender, 1,637 are men and 230 women. Another piece of information that the NGO revealed is that 1,708 of the political prisoners are civilians, while 159 were serving as soldiers.

Foro Penal detailed during the week of September 16 that 34 imprisonments and one release were carried out. In addition, 151 of those arrested were sentenced, while 1,716 remain without precautionary measures.

Photo: EFE

Since August 23, 2024, the NGO has reported that the highest number of political prisoners has been reported in the country during the 21st century.

Relatives of teenagers demand their release

A group of relatives and teachers of the teenagers detained during the post-election protests in Venezuela gathered on September 26 in front of the main headquarters of the Public Ministry in Parque Carabobo, Caracas, to demand the immediate release of the minors.

The protesters denounced that the adolescents who are held in the Caracas City Care Entity were victims of “torture and mistreatment” at the time of their arrest.

Teenagers detained

Martha Tineo, general coordinator of the NGO Justicia Encuentro y Perdón (give), explained on September 26 that the adolescents detained in the post-election protests were taken to centers with adults, which puts them in a situation of “greater vulnerability.”

“They should never have been in detention centers with adults, because it puts them in a more vulnerable situation. “They have been tortured, threatened and subjected to cruel treatment,” Tineo said in an interview with VPI.

In his opinion, the arrests carried out during the protests of the last two months have shown a pattern in the denial of the right of defense.

“It ranges from lack of communication, lack of food, lack of medical care, lack of personal hygiene supplies, lack of drinking water, overcrowding and unhealthiness,” he highlighted.

Related news