Venezuela parliamentary president lambasts sacking of dissident prosecutor as "brute force"

Record ID: 905353

  • Title: Venezuela parliamentary president lambasts sacking of dissident prosecutor as "brute force"
  • Date: 5th August 2017
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 05, 2017) (REUTERS) NATIONAL GUARDS ON DUTY OUTSIDE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S HEADQUARTERS
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2017 21:30
  • Keywords: constituent assemby democracy Caracas opposition President Nicolas Maduro Veneuzela Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diz National Assembly President Julio Borges fire
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036SVQQMF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: **PART QUALITY AS INCOMING**
    The president of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday (August 05) said the socialist government was using "brute force" on the divided OPEC nation after the country's chief prosecutor was fired and ordered to stand trial, less than 24 hours after a newly-elected legislative superbody was installed with sweeping powers to strengthen President Nicolas Maduro's grip on power.
    The prosecutor, Luisa Ortega, had become Maduro's main challenger from within the ruling socialist movement since the opposition started a round of protests in April. The street marches have left more than 120 people dead as rock-throwing protesters were met by rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas.
    She accused him of human rights abuses and of exaggerating the turnout in last weekend's election of the new 545-member constituent assembly. The opposition, in control of the country's traditional congress, boycotted the vote. This guaranteed that all candidates for the new body would be Maduro allies.
    National Assembly President Julio Borges said the opposition was fighting to defend democracy in Venezuela.
    Earlier in the day, Ortega's office was surrounded by armed National Guard officers who refused to let her enter. Ortega told reporters she was roughed up as she tried to enter her office, claiming that one officer hit her with his body shield. She left on a motor bike amid the chaos. Also on Saturday, South American trade bloc Mercosur indefinitely suspended Venezuela, adding to international pressure on Maduro to dismantle the newly created assembly and restore democracy.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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