Relatives of detained politicians ask for mediation by human rights organizations

Relatives of the imprisoned Venezuelan opposition politicians Biagio Pilieri, Freddy Superlano, Américo De Grazia and the legal assistant of the majority opposition Perkins Rocha asked this Tuesday international organizations of human rights that intercede to achieve – they said – their full freedom.

“What we ask of international organizations (is) that they can firmly help us achieve freedom (…) because they are not guilty of the crimes they are accused of,” said María Livia Vasile, wife of former deputy Biagio Pilieri, who – recalled – has been accused of five crimes, including “terrorism.”

Vasile indicated that the goal is to achievewith the help of international organizations, the freedom not only of the detained politicians, but of all those considered “political prisoners” in the country.

They ask for international mediation

Meanwhile, Aurora Silva, wife of former deputy Freddy Superlano, maintained that the politician’s “all his rights” have been violated, because in the 112 days he has been detained he has not been able to receive visits or appoint a trusted lawyer.

“There have been 112 days in which I have not been able to speak with him, neither by telephone, nor have I seen him in person, I do not know how his health is,” he added.

Aurora of Superlano (@AuroraSuperlano), wife of @freddysuperlano He detailed the difficult situation he is experiencing with his daughters.

“How do you explain to a girl why her father is not there?” pic.twitter.com/IUUYz2LErF

— Citizen Meeting (@EnCiudadanoVzla) November 19, 2024

Likewise, Raizeda De Grazia, daughter of former legislator Américo De Grazia, indicated that since her father was arrested on August 8, she has not been able to confirm whether he is detained at the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin), known as El Helicoid, in Caracas.

“He has been isolated for 104 days, presumably detained in El Helicoide, I say presumably because we have not confirmed that he is there, they have not given us access to the visit,” he said.

He added that De Grazia was arrested when he was undergoing a medical check-up.

Constanza Cipriani, wife of the majority anti-Chavismo legal advisor Perkins Rocha, said she has not been able to visit the lawyer since he was detained on August 27.

María Constanza Cipriani (@MaCostanzaCR), wife of@PerkinsRocha in Press conference with relatives of political prisoners isolated in El Helicoide:

“Telling the truth and fighting for everyone’s rights is not a crime” pic.twitter.com/jn9nHjwrXm

— Commando ConVzla Barinas (@BarinasConVzla) November 19, 2024

«What we are demanding and we are going to start a strong campaign for that is the full freedom of our husbands, who are innocent, who were not found committing any crime, because as we always say, telling the truth is not a crime and we fight for everyone’s rights is not a crime,” he added.

Freedom for political prisoners

Opposition leaders and NGOs demand daily, through social networks, the “immediate” release of those detained for “political” reasons, including the nearly 170 members of parties who – they denounce – are behind bars.

Recently, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, assured that the Caribbean country is “free of political prisoners”, a statement rejected by anti-Chavismo and social sectors.