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Paraguay man crucified in public Paraguay man crucified in public
(about 9 hours later)
Protesters in Paraguay have staged a public crucifixion calling for a jailed former army general to be set free.Protesters in Paraguay have staged a public crucifixion calling for a jailed former army general to be set free.
Tomas Velazquez, a supporter of General Lino Oviedo, popular among Paraguay's indigenous people, was tied and nailed to a cross outside the Supreme Court.Tomas Velazquez, a supporter of General Lino Oviedo, popular among Paraguay's indigenous people, was tied and nailed to a cross outside the Supreme Court.
Mr Velazquez called on the court to review Gen Oviedo's 10-year jail sentence for plotting a 1996 coup.Mr Velazquez called on the court to review Gen Oviedo's 10-year jail sentence for plotting a 1996 coup.
Gen Oviedo remains popular in parts of Paraguay, with supporters saying his sentence was politically motivated.Gen Oviedo remains popular in parts of Paraguay, with supporters saying his sentence was politically motivated.
He was convicted by a military tribunal in 1998 of plotting to overthrow Paraguay's government.He was convicted by a military tribunal in 1998 of plotting to overthrow Paraguay's government.
He was arrested after returning to Paraguay in 2004 from exile in Brazil.He was arrested after returning to Paraguay in 2004 from exile in Brazil.
Nailed tightNailed tight
In the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, dozens of Gen Lino's supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court for the dramatic crucifixion. In the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, dozens of Gen Oviedo's supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court for the dramatic crucifixion.
Oviedo was convicted by a military tribunal but that is illegal in times of peace Tomas VelasquezProtester Draped in banners calling for Gen Lino to be set free, Mr Velazquez was hoisted onto a wooden cross and tied by the arms and legs. Oviedo was convicted by a military tribunal but that is illegal in times of peace Tomas VelasquezProtester href="/1/hi/world/americas/3850761.stm" class="">Profile: Lino Oviedo Draped in banners calling for Gen Oviedo to be set free, Mr Velazquez was hoisted onto a wooden cross and tied by the arms and legs.
Nails were then driven through the palms of his hands.Nails were then driven through the palms of his hands.
Grimacing with pain, Mr Velazquez - who is also undergoing a hunger strike - demanded that Gen Lino's sentence be reviewed. Grimacing with pain, Mr Velazquez - who is also undergoing a hunger strike - demanded that Gen Oviedo's sentence be reviewed.
"The Supreme Court must review this conviction. In 1998, Oviedo was convicted by a military tribunal but that is illegal in times of peace."The Supreme Court must review this conviction. In 1998, Oviedo was convicted by a military tribunal but that is illegal in times of peace.
"We believe that he is being politically persecuted.""We believe that he is being politically persecuted."
The Associated Press reported that the Supreme Court said it would review the case as a matter of course.The Associated Press reported that the Supreme Court said it would review the case as a matter of course.
Coup countryCoup country
Gen Oviedo initially rose to prominence in Paraguay in February 1989.Gen Oviedo initially rose to prominence in Paraguay in February 1989.
Banners left onlookers in little doubt over the causeHe played a prominent part in the uprising that overthrew the regime of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and set the country on the path back to civilian government.Banners left onlookers in little doubt over the causeHe played a prominent part in the uprising that overthrew the regime of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and set the country on the path back to civilian government.
Before being jailed, he had his political ambitions, first within the governing Colorado Party and then as head of his own Unace (National Union of Ethical Citizens) political movement.Before being jailed, he had his political ambitions, first within the governing Colorado Party and then as head of his own Unace (National Union of Ethical Citizens) political movement.
But his jail term stems from a short-lived 1996 rebellion against former then-President Juan Carlos Wasmosy.But his jail term stems from a short-lived 1996 rebellion against former then-President Juan Carlos Wasmosy.
He is being held at a military prison, and continues to deny plotting against Mr Wasmosy, who was Paraguay's first elected civilian president after Gen Stroessner was ousted.He is being held at a military prison, and continues to deny plotting against Mr Wasmosy, who was Paraguay's first elected civilian president after Gen Stroessner was ousted.
During five years of exile in Brazil, Gen Oviedo indicated he was considering running for the Paraguayan presidency in 2008.During five years of exile in Brazil, Gen Oviedo indicated he was considering running for the Paraguayan presidency in 2008.