Carter Center requested to mediate in political prisoners' situation

Venezuela's National Assembly Deputy Edgar Zambrano, leader of the parliamentary fraction of opposition party Acción Democrática, requested on Monday Carter Center's mediation in the negotiations held between relatives of political prisoners and exiles and the Venezuelan Government.

Within the framework of his activities in defense of the prisoners and the exiles, the deputy appeared with the Carter Center office in Caracas based on its track record to enhance understanding, particularly and recently in Venezuela on numerous occasions.

Zambrano is confident that in the light of US President Jimmy Carter's image and his international lobby for democracy and peaceful coexistence, it is possible to pave the way "towards the recognition of the opponent, the intelligent practice of politics, and a national dialogue within the boundaries of the country's legislation."

Referring to the case of former police chief Ivan Simonovis, the deputy called upon the speaker judge, the Attorney General, the president of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), the president of the  TSJ's Criminal Court, and Vice-President Nicolás Maduro himself to admit a release petition for humanitarian reasons. The hearing in this connection is slated to next Friday.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera