"Penitentiary Services Ministry says those freed had been deprived of their liberty' for acts associated with disrupting the constitutional order. At least 116 prisoners have been released in Venezuela after their arrests during the presidency of Nicolas Maduro, the government has announced, nine days after the United States abducted Maduro. Venezuela's Ministry of Penitentiary Services reported on Monday that the prisoners had been released in the past few hours. It followed a similar release a few days ago."
"The ministry added that those freed had been deprived of their liberty for acts associated with disrupting the constitutional order and undermining the stability of the nation. Two Italian citizens were also released, and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pledged to upgrade Rome's relations with Caracas in response. Dozens of dual Italian-Venezuelan nationals remain in prison. However, the Foro Penal group, a human rights organisation, contended earlier on Monday that only 41 people had been released, including 24 people freed overnight. The release of political prisoners in Venezuela has been a long-running call of human rights groups, international bodies and opposition figures."
"The releases, which began on Thursday, came after pressure by US President Donald Trump, who stated that Washington was in charge of the Latin American country following the military operation on January 3 to abduct Maduro, which sparked global protests and criticism. Maduro now faces drug-trafficking charges and is currently being held in a prison in New York. On Saturday, Trump celebrated the release of the prisoners in what he called a big way."
At least 116 prisoners arrested during Nicolas Maduro's presidency were released in Venezuela in recent days, the Penitentiary Services Ministry reported. The ministry stated that those freed had been deprived of liberty for acts linked to disrupting the constitutional order and undermining national stability. Two Italian citizens were included among the released, while dozens of dual Italian–Venezuelan nationals remain imprisoned and Foro Penal disputed the official count, saying only 41 had been freed. Human rights groups estimate 800–1,200 political prisoners nationwide. The releases followed pressure tied to a US operation involving Maduro and prompted international reactions.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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