Relatives are unaware of the charges against him
The relatives of the national coordinator of Training of the Venezuelan NGO Súmate, Nelida Sanchezwho was arrested on Monday, is not known what charges she is facing, the non-governmental organization dedicated to electoral issues reported on Sunday.
«On September 1, Nélida Sánchez, national coordinator of Súmate and human rights defender, has been in detention for seven days and is unjustly imprisoned in the Helicoide. Her family is still unaware of the crimes she is accused of and is requesting that her right to a defense with her lawyers be guaranteed.» This was stated by the NGO in a message published on X.
On Friday, Súmate indicated that they were informed that Sánchez is being held at Helicoide, one of the headquarters of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (Sebin), in Caracas.
The organization demanded the release of Sánchez in a statement on Thursday, after more than 72 hours of his “unjust” detention, it said, by Sebin officials.
Nelida Sanchez case
“We request his full freedom and that he be guaranteed the enjoyment and exercise of his rights to communication with his family and lawyers, due process, life and health, established (…) in the Venezuelan Constitution,” the non-governmental organization said.
They then pointed out that her lawyers and family have not been able to have direct contact with her.
In the text, Súmate stated that Sánchez suffers from “some chronic illnesses, including a heart condition, which causes chronic circulatory problems, in addition to suffering from fibromyalgia and asthma,” for which reason it requested that he be guaranteed medical care and treatment.
His arrest occurred in the context of a political crisis following the controversial re-election of Nicolás Maduro in the presidential elections on July 28, a period during which the majority opposition, which denounces “fraud”, and numerous organizations inside and outside the country warn of an increase in “persecution.”
According to the Executive, more than 2,400 people have been arrested since July 29 – some in demonstrations and others in police operations – and 25 were killed in acts of violence that the Government attributes to the opposition, while anti-Chavez supporters blame the State security forces.
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