Wife of imprisoned Argentine lawyer writes letter to Pope Francis
Virginia Rivero appealed for the pontiff's intervention to secure the release of Germán Giuliani, who has been detained in Venezuela for more than a year.
Letter to the Pope for the imprisoned Argentine lawyer
Virginia Rivero, wife of Argentine lawyer Germán Giuliani—detained in Venezuela—sent a handwritten letter to Pope Francis requesting his assistance in negotiating her husband's release. According to radiomitre.cienradios.com, the letter reached the pontiff through journalist Sergio Rubin during his tour of South America. Rivero described the moment of delivery as a deeply emotional experience.
Speaking to TN, Rivero explained that several people in her circle are working on alternatives to secure Giuliani's freedom. "I have many people around me who are always thinking about what else can be done to help with my husband's release," she stated. Darío del Arco, a friend of the Pope, subsequently confirmed to her that the letter had reached the pontiff's hands.
Regarding the judicial process, Rivero complained that hearings that should have begun last year only started this year, and that they are conducted online. According to her account, the connection is interrupted during the meetings and Giuliani is not allowed to participate. Communication between the couple improved following efforts by the Argentine Foreign Ministry, though difficulties with the virtual hearings persist.
Giuliani was detained on 22 May and remained missing for several weeks before his family was able to confirm he was being held in Yare II prison in Miranda state. According to Venezuelan organisation Foro Penal, that facility currently holds 57 political prisoners, including the Argentine lawyer. In total, Foro Penal counts 321 political prisoners in Venezuela.
Giuliani's lawyer, who heads Foro Penal, reportedly told Rivero that her husband believed the situation "is going very well". Rivero, meanwhile, stated that following the presentation of expert reports related to the ship where drugs were allegedly found, her husband could be acquitted within two weeks. She clarified, however, that they have no certainty about the next steps in the proceedings.
"I am a person of faith and I always have faith and hope that this will be resolved," Rivero said, though she described the overall outlook as difficult. People who have regained their freedom told her that Giuliani is going through emotionally difficult days, particularly due to separation from his children, from whom he has been away for a year and a half. Nevertheless, according to Rivero, he tries to remain active within the prison.
Among the tasks he performed in prison was the painting and cleaning of a water tank. During that work, approximately two months ago, he suffered an electric shock when he stepped on a bare wire as he was leaving the area. Rivero reported that he received medical attention at the facility, but was not transferred to another centre for a more thorough evaluation. The family continues to monitor his state of health.
Source: Google News AR — Crime