- Title: Venezuela ex-opposition governor says released from house arrest
- Date: 4th January 2017
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JANUARY 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF JUSTICE MINISTRY FORMER OPPOSITION GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MANUEL ROSALES, GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE LOGO OUTSIDE PUBLIC MINISTRY PEOPLE WALKING IN FRONT OF MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE JUSTICE MINISTRY ROSALES GREETING PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE JUSTICE MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER OPPOSITION GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MANUEL ROSALES, SAYING: "I am free with (having to) present (myself) every 15 days with a ban on leaving the country, but with all my rights." ROSALES WALKING INTO JUSTICE MINISTRY LOGO MIRANDA STATE POLITICAL LEADERS WAITING FOR ROSALES TO LEAVE JUSTICE MINISTRY YOUNGSTERS FROM SOCIAL MOVEMENT OUTSIDE JUSTICE MINISTRY ROSALES LEAVING JUSTICE MINISTRY AFTER HIS PRESENTATION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER OPPOSITION GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MANUEL ROSALES, SAYING: "I leave as I entered prison and as I went into exile, with a clear vision of the country and fighting against this unsuccessful political and economic model which is obsolete, failed and which has led to a critical and difficult situation for Venezuela." VARIOUS OF ROSALES GREETING PEOPLE OF HIS PARTY IN FRONT OF THE JUSTICE MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER OPPOSITION GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MANUEL ROSALES, SAYING: "And I want to tell the people that we have to be optimistic. And also to say to all sectors, that the people can't continue to be deceived by proposals to receive applause from the gallery, so that we are placed in the top positions in social networks but in the end, end up being frustrations and disenchantment for the people." ROSALES GREETING SUPPORTERS ROSALES LEAVING IN A CAR
- Embargoed: 19th January 2017 17:09
- Keywords: Venezuela Manuel Rosales opposition Nicolas Maduro
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015XO1OW3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Former opposition governor and presidential candidate Manuel Rosales on Wednesday (January 4) said he was free from house arrest and his rights had been restored so long as he checks in with the officials and does not leave the country.
Rosales announced his release via Twitter on Saturday (December 31) saying five lesser-known anti-government activists were also released from prison.
"I am free with (having to) present (myself) every 15 days with a ban on leaving the country, but with all my rights," Rosales said outside a courthouse on Wednesday.
Rosales was jailed in 2015 upon his return to Venezuela from Peru, where he fled six years earlier after being charged with illicit enrichment by the government of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez. He was granted house arrest in October.
Five other activists were released from prison on the condition that they not leave the country and appear periodically in court, according to lawyer Gonzalo Himiob of rights group Penal Forum. They had been arrested in 2014, when the opposition led a wave of protests pressing for President Nicolas Maduro's resignation.
"I am free with (having to) present (myself to court) every 15 days with a ban on leaving the country, but with all my rights," Rosales said upon his presentation at the Justice Ministry in Caracas in Wednesday (January 4).
Venezuela's Information Ministry did not answer phone calls seeking comment.
As Rosales headed into the Justice Ministry, his party supporters, waited outside to greet and congratulate him for his release.
Rosales said he would continue fighting against what he called a "failed political and economic model," under current President Nicolas Maduro.
"I leave as I entered prison and when I went into exile, with a clear vision of the country and fighting against this unsuccessful political and economic model which is obsolete, failed and which has led to a critical and difficult situation for Venezuela," Rosales said.
He asked his supporters to continue fighting too.
"And I want to tell the people that we have to be optimistic. And also to say to all sectors, that the people can't continue to be deceived by proposals to receive applause from the gallery, so that we are placed in the top positions in social networks, but in the end, end up being frustrations and disenchantment for the people," Rosales added.
Opposition leaders say Maduro's government is holding close to 100 political prisoners who were unjustly jailed for protesting against his administration, including former mayor and opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
International political figures have called for their release, including President Barack Obama and South African Nobel peace laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Maduro denies the country holds political prisoners, insisting those in jail were arrested for involvement in street violence or in plots to overthrow his government. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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