Venezuelan prosecutors launch investigation into opposition statements — MercoPress

Venezuelan prosecutors launch investigation into opposition statement

Saab believes the opposition’s statement would constitute multiple crimes

Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab issued a communiqué on Monday in response to a communiqué issued earlier in the day by opposition leaders Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado, urging law enforcement and military officials to recognize the former as the winner of the July 28 presidential election.

Saab argued that the move was an attempt to change the rule of law by declaring a winner other than the one announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is incumbent President Nicolas Maduro. Therefore, an investigation is needed into the multiple crimes that may have been committed.

Here is the full text:

“The Bulletin

The Public Ministry of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela informs the nation that, due to the dissemination of a communiqué by former candidate Edmundo González and citizen María Corina Machado that falsely declared the winner of the presidential elections, in violation of the Constitution and the law, while the National Electoral Council was the only body authorized to do so, and openly incited police and military officers to violate the law; the Government has decided to launch a criminal investigation against the two signatories of this invalid document.

The above statement indicates that there are suspected crimes of abuse of power, spreading false information to cause distress, inciting disobedience of the law, inciting rebellion, gang crime and conspiracy.

The Public Ministry, as the competent authority for criminal prosecution, has the responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the country and will remain vigilant to prevent any actions that could lead to violence or anxiety among the population and any attempt to repeat the painful harm inflicted on entire Venezuelan families.

Caracas, August 5, 2024. ”