Venezuelan Attorney Saab Presents New Evidence on July Terrorist Acts
Attorney General Tarek William Saab, Dec. 2, 2024. Photo: teleSUR
December 2, 2024 Hour: 2:40 pm
So far, he has conducted 1,104 investigative procedures related to far-right paramilitary organizations.
On Monday, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab presented new information on emblematic cases of violence unleashed by far-right Small Commandos (“Comanditos”) following the July 28 presidential elections.
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“About a thousand people were arrested for throwing stones and bottles at the police, burning trash, and summarily condemning innocent individuals. They are not political prisoners!” he emphasized, adding that they were sentenced to over two years in prison.
So far, the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office has conducted 1,104 investigative procedures related to far-right paramilitary organizations. Venezuelan authorities have also carried out 129 medical examinations on citizens detained during the July incidents.
Currently, 20,000 direct and indirect victims of the violence unleashed by the Venezuelan far-right are represented by the Committee for Justice for the Victims of July 2024. Among them are relatives of people who lost their lives during the post-election protests.
One emblematic case is the homicide of Jose Torres, a first Sergeant of the Bolivarian National Guard. This 26-year-old officer was killed by violent groups who shot him in the neck on July 29 in a parking lot in Maracay. Investigators identified Reiner Marquez, who carried a firearm near the crime scene, as the killer. He is currently in custody.
“He is not a political prisoner; he is a murderer,” Saab stated, refuting narratives promoted by some U.S.-backed non-governmental organizations.
The Attorney General also addressed the homicide of Mayauri Silva, a 49-year-old woman who worked for the Santiago Mariño mayor’s office and was a spokesperson for the Hugo Chavez Battle Units (UBCh).
“On August 3, an individual followed her and shot her three times at close range, killing her in Turmero, Aragua state,” the Attorney General revealed. Those implicated in her murder were hired by Fernando Venancio Martinez, who lived in the same neighborhood as the victim and had repeatedly threatened her. Taking advantage of a hate-incitement campaign, he ordered her killing.
Venancio was apprehended along with the direct perpetrator of the crime, Reifer Seijas, and an accomplice, Yoslei Ramirez. Others involved include Johan Martinez, who is on the run, and another criminal who was killed in a confrontation with the police.
“To those leading dirty war campaigns against Venezuela, I ask: Are Mayauri’s killers political prisoners?” the Attorney General emphasized.
He also referred to the case of the Venceremos community radio station, which was attacked by far-right paramilitaries who stole equipment and gravely injured Raul Castejon and Dani Pereira. In this case, a dozen individuals were arrested. They were found in possession of Molotov cocktails and knives and have been charged with crimes such as terrorism, incitement to hatred, and resistance to authority.
“Are those who almost killed Raul and Dani Pereira political prisoners?” asked Attorney General Saab, who emphasized that his institution is making great efforts to uncover the truth about the events and confront disinformation campaigns.
teleSUR/ JF Source: VTV
