Venezuela lets hundreds walk free after disputed summer election chaos
Venezuelan officials released over 200 people detained during post-election unrest from last summer. Local rights groups confirm mass-releases from multiple prisons while monitoring the situation
Attorney General Tarek Saab announced a wave of releases‚ letting 225 detainees go home after summer election protests in Venezuela; the decision came after new evidence review by prosecutors
The releases happened over two days in mid-november: local rights group Foro Penal (which keeps track of political arrests) counted 107 people walking free from four different prisons. Its director Alfredo Romero shared videos showing happy crowds meeting freed protesters
The summer unrest started when Nicolas Maduro kept his position after july elections - opposition didnt accept the results because voting numbers werent fully shown. This led to street protests where 28 people died and about 200 got hurt. Government forces picked-up around 1800 people during these events
- 50+ young adults left Tocoron prison
- More people walked out from Tocuyito jail
- Earlier in fall about 80 teens got released
- Rights groups say many arrested werent even at protests
One freed person from Tocuyito (who didnt want to give his name) talked about prison food - he wasnt sure it was safe to eat; now he just wants a home-cooked meal with his family
Between the afternoon of Friday and Saturday 225 measures of liberty were granted and executed
The whole situation started after july-28 vote where Edmundo Gonzalez supporters said ruling party cheated. Maduro - whos been in charge since 13ʼ - will start another 6-year term next january
