Provea denounced that those arrested during protests are not allowed a private defense

• The organization denounced that the hearings were being held collectively, in which there was no “individualization of the alleged crimes” | Photo: EFE

Provea has denounced that private lawyers and lawyers from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Venezuela are not allowed to participate in hearings or defend people detained during post-election protests.

“We warn that collective hearings are being held where there is no individualization of the alleged crimes. They are all being put under the same imputation criteria,” Provea wrote on his X account on August 1. He warned that the relatives of the detainees have not been allowed to see them either.

The organization insisted that these events show a “violation of the right to defense and due process,” enshrined in Article 49 of the Venezuelan Constitution.

The complaints of the Criminal Forum

Members of the Penal Forum have warned since July 29 that those arrested in protests have not been allowed access to private lawyers.

They also reported that the hearings were being held “telematically” (virtually).

EFE/ Henry Chirinos

Lawyers from the Penal Forum explained that courts in several states have appointed public defenders to those detained in the context of the post-election protests that have been taking place in Venezuela since July 29.

The number of detainees arrested in protests

According to the Penal Forum, as of 4:00 pm on August 1, 711 people were confirmed detained. Of this number, 74 are teenagers.

These are the entities where the arrests were carried out:

-Capital District (120)

-Anzoategui (110)

-Carabobo (109)

-Miranda (53)

-Barinas (42)

-Zulia (36)

-New Sparta (30)

-Lara (29)

-Portuguese (26)

-Aragua (21)

-Merida (20)

-La Guaira (16)

-Yaracuy (15)

-Táchira (12)

-Trujillo (12)

-Guarico (12)

-Cojedes (11)

-Monagas (9)

-Bolívar (9)

-Amazonas (9)

-Apure (5)

-Sucre (1)

The organization mentioned that they continue to receive complaints so these figures could increase.

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