Clashes break out at protest to support rogue attorney general

Record ID: 896578

  • Title: Clashes break out at protest to support rogue attorney general
  • Date: 22nd June 2017
  • Summary: PROTESTER WITH SERIOUS BURNS ON BACK BEING HELPED ONTO GREEN CROSS MOTORBIKE BY MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2017 21:01
  • Keywords: Luisa Ortega Venezuela protests Nicolas Maduro
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA0026MD3OLJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Opposition protesters marched on Thursday (June 22) in support of Chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega who is facing a possible trial after having broken with the government and led efforts to block a controversial Constituent Assembly that would override the opposition-led National Assembly.
    Tear gas canisters flew through the air as protesters clashed with National Guard troops and so-called "Green Cross" medical volunteers swept up protesters sporting serious burns onto motorbikes.
    The march follows almost two months of protests against leftist President Nicolas Maduro´s government, during which at least 75 people have died, including a 17-year-old shot in the chest by a National Guard official who opened fire on the crowd on Monday.
    Chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega has been leading dissent against the plan from within government, earning her a barrage of accusations from officials ranging from corruption to insanity and promoting violence.
    The Supreme Court on Monday accepted a request by a ruling Socialist Party lawmaker to begin the process of taking her to trial for committing "serious offences."
    Before any trial could take place, the Supreme Court would first have to hold a preliminary hearing to determine whether a trial is warranted.
    Opposition leaders have vowed to step up tactics to increase pressure on Maduro and halt his plan for July 30 elections for a special assembly to rewrite the constitution, a move they say is rigged to keep him in power.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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