Venezuela frees 225 prisoners detained in post-election unrest
Venezuelan authorities this weekend released 225 of the more than 2,400 people arrested during protests against President Nicolas Maduro's disputed releection in July. The detainees included 164 minors, 69 of whom remain behind bars. Relatives of detainees plan to rally Monday in front of the prosecutor's office to demand that more be released.
Venezuelan authorities freed 225 people this weekend who were detained in protests against the disputed reelection of President Maduro in July, the prosecutor's office said Saturday.
The releases were "granted and executed for people prosecuted for the violence that occurred after the 28 July elections," the office said in a statement, after prosecutors launched a large-scale review of their cases.
Human rights group Foro Penal had independently confirmed the release of 107 people by Saturday evening.
Over 2,400 people were arrested during the unrest that followed the reelection of Maduro, which the opposition alleged was fraudulent.
The violence left at least 28 dead and nearly 200 people injured, according to prosecutors. The detainees included 164 minors, 69 of whom remain behind bars.
Detainees' relatives flocked to the prisons where they were being held after reports of the release began circulating on social media.
(AFP)
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