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Venezuela protests over jailed opposition lawmaker's death Fernando Albán: Venezuela protests over jailed opposition lawmaker's death
(about 9 hours later)
Protesters in Venezuela have accused the government of murdering a jailed opposition lawmaker, who the authorities say killed himself. Protesters in Venezuela have accused the government of murdering a jailed opposition lawmaker who the authorities say killed himself.
Crowds were calling for justice at a rally outside the Sebin intelligence agency headquarters in Caracas where Fernando Albán had been held. Fernando Albán was detained over what officials say was a drone assassination attempt on President Nicolás Maduro.
The authorities say he took his own life by jumping from the 10th floor. Crowds calling for justice gathered outside the building in Caracas where he had been held prisoner.
He had been held over what officials say was a drone assassination attempt on President Nicolás Maduro in August. The authorities say he took his own life by jumping from the 10th floor of the intelligence agency (Sebin).
That attack happened when Mr Maduro was speaking at a military event in the capital. Seven soldiers were injured, officials say. The reported attack on Mr Maduro in August happened as he was speaking at a military event in Caracas, the capital. Seven soldiers were injured, officials say.
The authorities later blamed Venezuela's opposition and also Colombia for the attack. Both denied the claim.The authorities later blamed Venezuela's opposition and also Colombia for the attack. Both denied the claim.
How did Fernando Albán die?How did Fernando Albán die?
Attorney General Tareq Saad told Venezuela's VTV state television that the lawmaker "requested to go to the bathroom, and when there he threw himself off the 10th floor". He "requested to go to the bathroom, and when there he threw himself off the 10th floor", Attorney General Tareq Saad told Venezuelan state TV.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol gave a somewhat different account of what happened on Monday. Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol said he had jumped from a window while waiting to be brought to court.
He tweeted (in Spanish): "At the moment he was going to be transported to court, while he was in the Sebin waiting room, he jumped from the window of the building and fell, causing his death." He said that Mr Albán had been investigated for "destabilising activities directed from abroad".
The minister also said the lawmaker had been investigated for "destabilising activities directed from abroad".
Mr Albán was a Caracas municipal counsellor for the opposition First Justice party.Mr Albán was a Caracas municipal counsellor for the opposition First Justice party.
In a statement, the party said their member "was murdered at the hands of the regime of Nicolas Maduro".In a statement, the party said their member "was murdered at the hands of the regime of Nicolas Maduro".
Enrique Capriles, also a party member and a former presidential candidate, was quoted as saying by AFP: "Those of us who knew Fernando know that he could never have acted against his life," Enrique Capriles, also a party member and a former presidential candidate, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency: "Those of us who knew Fernando know that he could never have acted against his life,"
Reacting to the news, US Senator Bob Corker tweeted: "Today in Venezuela, Fernando Albán, a young opposition leader, died while in the government's custody. This is disturbing and the government has a responsibility to ensure all understand how that could have happened. Reacting to the news, US Senator Bob Corker tweeted that the Venezuelan government should explain how the death had been allowed to happen.