Political prisoner Jesús Martínez Medina: NGOs and political parties condemned his death in custody

After the death in state custody of political prisoner Jesús Martínez Medina36 years old, Non-governmental organizations, human rights activists and Venezuelan opposition political parties condemned the death occurred on Thursday, November 14 in the state of Anzoátegui.

“His death is a painful reminder of the consequences of political persecution and the lack of guarantees for human rights,” said the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón.

Martínez Medina was arbitrarily detained on July 29 after having been an opposition witness in the presidential elections of July 28. He had been detained in a police station in Lechería, where he suffered mistreatment and was denied the medical attention he needed to treat his type II diabetes.

As a result of the lack of medical attention, abscesses developed and his leg became infected. He was transferred to the Luiz Razzetti hospital in Barcelona, ​​where he remained until his death was confirmed.

Jesús Martínez Medina did not receive medical attention in a timely manner

«We reject the lack of timely medical attention that Jesús Martínez Medina suffered during his detention. He suffered from type II diabetes that caused skin abscesses and heart deficiencies, conditions that worsened during his imprisonment.. The lack of adequate medical care is a flagrant violation of the human rights to health and life, and an act of cruelty,” the NGO said.

Former Venezuelan prosecutor Zair Mundaray, who repeatedly denounced Martínez Medida’s conditions of confinement, pointed out that “he should never have been imprisoned, being a table witness is not a crime. “They denied him all his rights, including basic medical care and sentenced him to death.”

«He was persecuted and stigmatized by the horror prosecutor Tarek Wiliam Saab who adds another victim to the long list he has to his credit, the judge who denied him the transfer will have to pay for this murder and the public defender who did not take steps in his favor is also responsible for this atrocity,” he added.

For its part, The president of the Casla Institute, Tamara Suju, also pointed out that specialized and urgent medical attention had been required for days.since Jesús Matínez Medina had necrosis in his legs due to the diabetes he suffered from, aggravated by the mistreatment suffered, the lack of health care and the inhuman conditions of the prison.

Encuentro Ciudadano spoke on the matter: «We want to reiterate the mention of article 43 of the Constitution, made by the president of our party (Delsa Solórzano) a few days ago, referring precisely to the case of Jesús: ‘The right to life is inviolable. No law may establish the death penalty, nor may any authority apply it. The State will protect the lives of people who are deprived of their liberty, performing military or civil service, subject to its authority in any other way.’”

First Justice added that “this young man was only fighting for the return of democracy in the country and died unjustly in the custody of the regime, joining the list of political prisoners who have died at their hands and with no one to take responsibility.”

The opposition leader María Corina Machado He also denounced on Thursday that Jesús Manuel Medina Martínez died due to the inhumane conditions in which he was held in cells in the state of Anzoátegui.

In a statement, Machado expressed his deep pain over the death of the young man in the hands of the Venezuelan state.

He described Martínez as a brave Venezuelan who, in addition to being a father, musician and composer, was a member of his party – Vente Venezuela – and participated as an electoral witness in the July 28 elections.

«One more crime by Maduro and his regime. He died at their hands, he died because of the inhumane conditions in which he was held captive. They took Jesús for exercising a right and a citizen’s duty,” said the former deputy, who expressed solidarity with the activist’s family.