Former Mayor Javier Oropeza Detained and Released in Barquisimeto After Returning to Venezuela
The former mayor of Torres municipality was arrested in Barquisimeto hours after returning to the country and was released that same night with precautionary measures.
Oropeza Free After Detention in Barquisimeto Upon Return to Country
Javier Oropeza, former mayor of Torres municipality, was detained and subsequently released on the night of Thursday, 17 September in Barquisimeto, Lara state, according to prensaoriente.com.ve.
The political leader had returned to Venezuela on Wednesday, 16 September after more than two years abroad. On the same day as his return, he presented himself at the Palace of Justice in Caracas to formalise the dismissal of charges brought against him under the Amnesty Law.
The detention occurred as Oropeza was leaving an interview at the offices of the newspaper El Informador in Barquisimeto. Political organisations reported that security officials accosted Oropeza and circulated a video showing a struggle before he was placed into a van.
From there he was transferred to a judicial facility in Barquisimeto, where he remained for several hours. Political leaders Juan Pablo Guanipa and Freddy Superlano went to police facilities to request information about his whereabouts, whilst citizens gathered in the surrounding area to demand his release.
Upon leaving the courts, Oropeza stated that he could not provide details about the procedure or the judicial process, but highlighted the work of the public defence that assisted him. "We continue in the struggle and the work for Venezuela," he affirmed.
According to information published on Friday by Verifica Venezuela, the former mayor was released after several hours in custody and subject to precautionary measures. The full details of these measures have not been made public.
Source: Google News VE — Crime