Political prisoner Jesús Suárez detained in Portuguesa and later released
Suárez, released two days earlier in San Cristóbal, was detained in the early hours of Sunday at a GNB checkpoint in Portuguesa and released hours later.
Detention on José Antonio Páez highway 48 hours after release
Jesús Samuel Suárez Gil, 43, was detained during the early hours of Sunday, 4 October at the La Cascada checkpoint, located at kilometre 180 of the José Antonio Páez highway, Agua Blanca municipality, Portuguesa state, according to elpitazo.net. Suárez was travelling in a public transport vehicle heading to Caracas to comply with his presentation regime before the Terrorism Court.
The detention occurred just two days after the citizen obtained his freedom on Friday, 2 October in San Cristóbal, Táchira state, upon conclusion of the trial known as the "Brazalete Blanco" case.
Foro Penal lawyers secured his release at the checkpoint
Lawyers Eusebio Giménez and Sara Menoni, from Foro Penal, Portuguesa chapter, attended the checkpoint and were received by the captain in charge of the post and by a lieutenant colonel. Together with the officials, the defence lawyers established direct communication with the terrorism courts in Caracas to verify Suárez's legal situation.
The defence lawyers explained that, despite Suárez having both a release warrant and an alternative precautionary measure of freedom, the arrest warrant remained active in the system. Hours after the detention, the citizen was released once again.
"The citizen Jesús Samuel Suárez Gil is now free and continuing his journey to the capital of the Republic to present himself tomorrow before the Terrorism Court," the lawyers reported.
Convicted of covering-up after dismissal of terrorism charges
Suárez had been detained on 23 January 2024 in San Cristóbal by officers of the Bolivarian Service of National Intelligence (Sebin) and remained detained at the headquarters of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DIP) of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in that city.
He was initially prosecuted for terrorism, treason and criminal association. These charges were dismissed during the proceedings and he was finally convicted to three years in prison for covering-up. Upon conclusion of the trial, the court credited the time he had spent deprived of liberty and granted him the alternative precautionary measure under which he must present himself periodically in Caracas.
In the same proceedings, other defendants received convictions for conspiracy and covering-up. Rocío San Miguel, Alejandro González, Luis Camacaro and Guillermo López were acquitted and obtained full freedom.
Following his release from prison in Táchira, Suárez described his liberation as a "bittersweet joy" because of the convictions imposed on other defendants in the case.
Opposition statement regarding the detention
Suárez's detention in Portuguesa prompted a statement from former Táchira governor and opposition leader César Pérez Vivas.
"How much longer will there be such abuse, violations of human rights and human dignity? Enough. Full freedom for all political prisoners!" Pérez Vivas denounced.
Source: Google News VE — Caracas