Journalists arrested after Venezuela election accused of terrorism

Four journalists arrested during post-election protests Venezuela They were accused of terrorism, according to the Syndicate of Press Workers (SNTP). The entity reported that the country’s authorities prevented them from hiring private lawyers. Information quoted from the International News Agency France Press agency.

“We condemn the illegal and arbitrary use of anti-terrorism laws in Venezuela, especially against journalists and photojournalists detained during the country’s post-election protests,” SNTP said on social media.

The journalists arrested are photojournalists Yusner Alvarado (Barinas, west) and Daisy Peña (Miranda, center), photographer Paul León (Trujillo, west), and journalist José Gregorio Carneiro (Guarico, center). They have been charged with terrorism and are in prison in their states.

The arrests took place after the presidential election, on July 28, amid demonstrations against the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro, according to SNTP.

Local press reported that the journalists were working when they were arrested. However, access to private defense was denied.

After Maduro was re-elected president with 52% of the vote on July 28, several demonstrations broke out across Venezuela in rejection of the vote result.

The protests were in favor of the opposition candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, who represented Maria Corina Machado, Maduro’s main rival in the election, who was disqualified and reported fraud.

The situation has sparked unrest across the country, with at least 24 people killed, according to human rights groups. Maduro said more than 2,200 people have been arrested. Among them are opposition leaders such as journalist Roland Carreño, an activist with the Popular Voluntad party (VP).

In addition to being charged with terrorism, the arrested journalists are also being held on charges of “incitement to hatred.” These crimes can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison in Venezuela. Machado and González are also being investigated for “incitement to rebellion” after requesting support from the armed forces.