Caracas, Venezuela — One other political prisoner in Venezuela has died, NGO Foro Penal reported final Saturday.
The information got here simply days after the Venezuelan authorities admitted that one other political prisoner, Víctor Hugo Quero Nava, had died months earlier from medical problems whereas in state custody.
The deaths deliver renewed consideration to the plight of over 450 political prisoners that stay behind bars months after U.S. particular forces captured strongman Nicolás Maduro.
José Manuel García Sabino, 31, was a former councilman from the northeastern metropolis of Anaco and a part of the ruling United Socialist Occasion of Venezuela (PSUV).
Earlier than being jailed, he had denounced corruption contained in the Mayor’s Workplace and the Metropolis Council to the disparagement of celebration officers.
Native information retailers reported that García Sabino died on Could 9 inside a police station.
Preliminary experiences indicated that he had taken his personal life by self strangulation. Nevertheless, after conducting a forensic examination, authorities decided that the reason for loss of life was mechanical asphyxiation, main the case to be labeled as a murder.
The Scientific, Penal, and Prison Investigations Corps (CICPC) arrested 12 officers from the Anaco Municipal Police for his or her alleged involvement within the case. Following a listening to, six officers had been detained.
As well as, they ordered the elimination of Pedro Parra, who had served as director of the native police company since 2022 and is now in custody.
García Sabino, the previous councilman, was arrested on February 23 associated to an investigation into alleged fraud involving a casual financial savings scheme referred to as Susú, used for the acquisition of bikes.
That very same day, his spouse, Scarlet Ortiz, was additionally arrested associated to the fraud investigation. Following García Sabino’s loss of life, Ortiz was launched from jail, the place she had reportedly given beginning to the couple’s youngster whereas she was being held.
She posted a message on social media thanking God for her freedom and her legal professionals for his or her efforts.
Thus far this yr, the Venezuelan Jail Observatory has reported 16 deaths of detainees in state custody.
These deaths occurred amid deplorable circumstances similar to medical neglect, overcrowding, violence, institutional opacity, and the absence of primary safeguards for all times.
The observatory said on X that “behind this determine are males who fell ailing with out medical care, prisoners who died in overcrowded cells and prisons, households pressured to pay for drugs, meals, and provides, and a state that maintains absolute management over these individuals however doesn’t assure their lives.”
They’re demanding that authorities conduct thorough and neutral investigations into the deaths.
Featured picture: José Manuel García Sabino
