He Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP) He demanded that the Judiciary and the State control agencies order an inspection and audit from Caracas to thoroughly review all the “paralyzed and flawed” files in La Guaira.
The The NGO’s request arises from complaints from relatives of prisoners about alleged irregularities in the Judicial Circuit of that state. and the delay in criminal proceedings suffered by detainees.
According to family members consulted by the OVP, In the circuit, alleged irregular payments, extortion in exchange for granting freedom or not sending people to trial, and planting of evidence such as weapons or drugs occur.
There are cases of family members, in which it was stated that they suffered intimidation in their homes for not giving in to the alleged charges.
Those affected also denounced concealment of procedural evidence. It was noted that a judge refused to give the family members the audio recordings of the trials, even though the process is open. According to what they told the OVP, the statements were later changed to justify accusations.
Additionally, family members must pay for copies of court records. The OVP stated that it knew of specific cases in which they were required to have two reams of white paper, two boxes of pens and four spare parts of printer ink to begin the legal process of the person deprived of liberty.
Added to this is the reduction in judicial activity. Approximately two months after the seismic double of June 24, the La Guaira courts were reactivated at half speed, under the excuse of the structural risk represented by two buildings located around the judicial headquarters, which suffered damage. So far it has not been decided whether they will be demolished.
The building where the courts operate is in adequate condition and the president of the circuit, Dayanhara González Seijo, has progressively enabled rooms. However, they work until approximately noon. “Before the earthquake it was 7:00 pm and you could be there in court. Not now, only flagrante delicto cases happen,” said some of those affected.
The relatives asked that the hearings be expedited or that they be held electronically, as a solution to the severe procedural delay that has affected the cases of their loved ones since before the earthquakes.
The demands of the OVP
The OVP considered it essential that the Judicial Circuit immediately reestablish its full work schedule and guarantee adherence to the law without the yoke of centralized minutes. He also requested that a new authorized headquarters be sought as soon as possible or that the processes be moved to Caracas, to safeguard the right to life and due process of citizens.
In addition, urged the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry for the Penitentiary Service and the Ombudsman’s Office to initiate rigorous criminal investigations into the complaints of collecting money, extortion and planting evidence, which supposedly involve judges, prosecutors and the security forces of the state of La Guaira.
