Student John Álvarez released in Venezuela, sentenced to 16 years in prison

John Álvarez, an anthropology student at the Central University of Venezuela, imprisoned and sentenced four months ago on charges of conspiracy and terrorism, was released on Saturday in the context of the prisoner exchange between the United States and Venezuela that also made possible the departure of Alex Saab, a businessman close to Nicolás Maduro.

Álvarez, 24, who is a youth secretary of the far-left Red Flag party, a tenacious opponent of Chavismo, will have precautionary measures and will have to appear in court every two weeks. The activist had been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Álvarez's release took place not without some anxiety and drama this weekend, since his departure from the La Yaguara Detainee Control and Custody Center in Caracas did not take effect when the prisoner exchange was announced. His parents had made a very anxious statement to the press at the time, demanding guidance from the authorities because they had no news of their son's whereabouts.

The young man was arrested while pasting posters on Bolivar Avenue in downtown Caracas and was almost immediately subjected to harsh interrogations for his alleged political connections and activities. Álvarez's treatment by the police caused alarm among lawyers and human rights activists, who reported that he was beaten, assaulted, and forced to record a video in which he assumed responsibility for conspiratorial and subversive efforts.

Weeks later, both defense lawyers and Álvarez's family reported that he had received humiliating treatment and torture, electric shocks and beatings with blunt objects.

Joel García, one of his lawyers, had denounced that the professionals of the Forensic Medicine had made up and covered up as much as possible the torture of Álvarez, which would have caused kidney injuries and affected the vision of his left eye.

Álvarez's arrest came shortly after several union leaders demanding better wages and questioning the conduct of Nicolás Maduro's government were also charged with terrorism. Along with Álvarez, these activists were sentenced to 16 years in prison. They, too, have been released.

The student leader was received by his family, friends and relatives, including the rector of the Central University of Venezuela, Víctor Rago, who repeatedly requested his release, "because it is an arbitrary measure and has no justification."

Rago, who was personally involved in this cause, said that the student's release is a consequence of political dialogue, which needs to be maintained and cultivated. "It is the fundamental thing, the possibility for the interlocutors to sit down to talk and reach reasonable agreements; against those who maintain that dialogue should not be sought. John left because the people to whom he was linked are free, that had to happen from a legal point of view."

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