Jailed Venezuelan opposition leader transferred to house arrest

2015-08-12 11

Jailed Venezuelan opposition politician Daniel Ceballos is to be freed from prison and placed under house arrest.

He was jailed last year following anti-government protests in San Cristobal where he is mayor.

His wife, Patricia Ceballos announced the news that he would be transferred as he awaits trial due to “health reasons”, but she added that she could “not thank the government which imprisoned her husband, they are doing what they should have done from day one”.

Ceballos was ordered to serve 12 months in jail for failing to prevent protesters setting up barricades in San Cristobal last year.

Though he has served his time, he still awaits trial on more serious charges of rebellion and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was one of three high-profile opposition leaders jailed after the protests.

The situation which led to anti-government demos – such as high levels of violence and chronic shortages of basic goods are ever present. The opposition has seized on reports of lootin