Venezuela releases student activist, keeps charges

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela released a student activist Monday whose imprisonment was cited as an example of politically motivated prosecutions by President Hugo Chavez’s government.

The release of Julio Rivas prompted cries of joy from Venezuelans who rallied behind him. But fellow students vowed to continue a hunger strike outside the Caracas offices of the Organization of American States to demand an investigation into alleged rights abuses under Chavez.

“It’s just a first step, a small victory,” said Miguel Pizarro, one of about 50 students who have vowed to consume only water while they lounge on cots. “The hunger strike continues because there are still many Venezuelans who are persecuted and jailed for thinking differently.”

Rivas said the conditions of his release prohibited him from participating in street protests, but he said he would join the hunger strike that began last week “to demand that the OAS come to Venezuela.”

The strikers say dozens of Chavez’s opponents have been singled out for prosecution on trumped up, politically motivated charges. They want the Washington-based OAS Interamerican Commission of Human Rights to lead a probe into alleged rights violations.

Attorney General Luisa Ortega denies prosecutors are targeting Chavez opponents, saying those who have been arrested committed crimes such as disturbing the peace or assaulting police officers.

Alfredo Romero, a representative of the Venezuelan Penal Forum, a local human rights organization, said the charges against Rivas had not been lifted. He was arrested earlier this month and charged with “inciting civil war” and “public disorder.”

The charges stem from his participation in an opposition protest that turned violent when demonstrators tossed rocks and bottles at police. Authorities responded with tear gas and plastic bullets.

Rivas denies any wrongdoing, saying prosecutors singled him out because of his outspoken opposition to Chavez.

Roughly 40 Chavez foes remain in prison, most of them awaiting trial on protest-related charges, according to the Venezuelan Penal Forum, a local human rights group.

The group says more than 2,000 Chavez foes have gone to trial over the last seven years for alleged crimes stemming from their participation in protests. Most have been charged with misdemeanors and released. But some — like Rivas — are prohibited from joining future demonstrations and others are barred from leaving their hometowns or publicly discussing their cases.