At least 379 people held in Venezuela for political reasons are slated to be released from prison this weekend after submitting their applications under an amnesty bill that was signed into law this week, authorities said. The measure is expected to benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, journalists, and many others detained for months or even years, the AP reports. Its approval marked a reversal for Venezuelan authorities, who for decades have denied holding any political prisoners. It follows last month's US military raid in which then-President Nicolás Maduro was seized.
The president of the special commission overseeing the amnesty law, Jorge Arreaza, said Friday night on state television that 379 amnesty requests had been received and that the applicants' releases would take place between Friday and Saturday. Further releases could be granted within 15 days, he said. Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of Venezuela-based prisoners' rights group Foro Penal, said on Saturday that so far some have been released in the state of Barinas, in the southwest of the country, but that the process of verifying releases under the amnesty was still ongoing. The new law excludes those convicted of homicide, drug trafficking, serious human rights violations, and military rebellion. Human rights organizations are calling for the law to be applied to all prisoners held for political reasons, even if they are not listed among the beneficiaries.
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