Venezuela 'political prisoners' held hostage in jail riot

Venezuela 'political prisoners' held hostage in jail riot

15 February 2018

Inmates at Tocuyito prison in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo have taken four other prisoners and dozens of guards hostage in a jail riot.

Photos on social media show the four prisoners kneeling with their arms held up while other inmates appear to be threatening them.

Three of the four men targeted are listed as "political prisoners" by a Venezuelan NGO.

The rioting inmates are demanding to be moved to an open prison.

A photo shows them holding signs reading: "We want peaceful dialogue" and "We want an answer".

Journalist Mildred Manrique tweeted the photo, saying that 50 guards were also being held hostage by inmates with grenades:

Ms Manrique said that Jesús Albi was also among those being held hostage.

Mr Albi has been charged with the murder of Almelina Carrillo, a woman who died after being hit by a bottle thrown from a building while she was taking part in a pro-government march in April 2017. He denies the charges.

In an interview with an online news channel, Alexander Tirado said that the other prisoners had forced the four inmates to act as mediators between the rioters and the prison authorities.

"They've threatened us with grenades so that we speak to the [prison] officials and call the media to inform them of the situation. I call on the prison minister and on [President] Nicolás Maduro to help. We've had enough of being used as hostages, our lives are in danger," he said.

"I don't want to die in prison."

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-43070464