After three days of closed hearings, Judge Adriana Lopez decided that Leopoldo López will be tried on charges of inciting violence at anti-government demonstrations, and must remain jailed for the duration of the trial. She said
Mr Lopez would face charges of damaging property, arson and instigating violence.
No date for the trial was announced.
The decision comes as no surprise, even when the WaPo refers to López as a “Venezuelan hardliner.” Were he a Colombian member of the FARC, would the WaPo refer to him as a “Colombian activist”?
But I digress.
Juan Cristobal Nagel examines the decision,
The whole document is a masterpiece of Dadaist chavismo.The government’s entire case rests on the analysis of the speeches made by Leopoldo, speeches in which he dared question the legitimacy of the authorities, and told people to march and stay on the streets to demand democracy. The Prosecutors then weave a legal theory that, taken to its logical conclusion, makes Leopoldo responsible for everything that has happened since the Venezuelan protest movement began in February.
To say that the accusation makes no sense does a disservice to the nonsensical.
López has been in jail since February 18, when he handed himself over to the authorities during a huge demonstration.
UPDATE:
The WSJ reports Jailed Venezuela Opposition Leader to Face Trial in August
