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Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on trial | Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on trial |
(6 days later) | |
The trial of one of Venezuela's main opposition leaders, Leopoldo Lopez, has begun in the capital, Caracas. | The trial of one of Venezuela's main opposition leaders, Leopoldo Lopez, has begun in the capital, Caracas. |
He is accused of inciting violence during anti-government demonstrations. | He is accused of inciting violence during anti-government demonstrations. |
Mr Lopez has been in custody since 18 February, when he handed himself in to the authorities. He denies all the charges. | Mr Lopez has been in custody since 18 February, when he handed himself in to the authorities. He denies all the charges. |
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Venezuela earlier this year in months of protests against rising inflation and crime. | Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Venezuela earlier this year in months of protests against rising inflation and crime. |
Mr Lopez, 43, has accused the government of President Nicolas Maduro of jailing Venezuelans for seeking democratic change. | Mr Lopez, 43, has accused the government of President Nicolas Maduro of jailing Venezuelans for seeking democratic change. |
Other opposition activists detained during the protests have also appeared in court in Caracas.. | Other opposition activists detained during the protests have also appeared in court in Caracas.. |
There is heavy police presence and road blocks near the Justice Palace. | There is heavy police presence and road blocks near the Justice Palace. |
But hundreds of supporters, including Mr Lopez's wife, Lilian Tintori, and parents, have gathered outside the court to call for his release. | But hundreds of supporters, including Mr Lopez's wife, Lilian Tintori, and parents, have gathered outside the court to call for his release. |
'Failed socialist policies' | 'Failed socialist policies' |
The street protests began in late January, in the western states of Tachira and Merida. | The street protests began in late January, in the western states of Tachira and Merida. |
Opposition leaders seized the moment and called for a big anti-government march in Caracas a few weeks later, on 12 February. | Opposition leaders seized the moment and called for a big anti-government march in Caracas a few weeks later, on 12 February. |
Mr Lopez was among the most active leaders. He founded a movement to advocate a change of government using the hashtag #lasalida, which in Spanish means both "the exit" and "the solution". | Mr Lopez was among the most active leaders. He founded a movement to advocate a change of government using the hashtag #lasalida, which in Spanish means both "the exit" and "the solution". |
The government urged its supporters to take to the streets in the same day, in a rival march. Three people died in incidents at the end of the marches. | The government urged its supporters to take to the streets in the same day, in a rival march. Three people died in incidents at the end of the marches. |
The authorities accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence and encouraging demonstrators to vandalise government buildings. | The authorities accused Mr Lopez of inciting violence and encouraging demonstrators to vandalise government buildings. |
He went into hiding after being charged, but announced he was going to hand himself in during an opposition demonstration through the streets of Caracas on 18 February. | He went into hiding after being charged, but announced he was going to hand himself in during an opposition demonstration through the streets of Caracas on 18 February. |
Mr Lopez has been in jail ever since. He has been an outspoken critic of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who died in March 2013. | Mr Lopez has been in jail ever since. He has been an outspoken critic of Mr Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who died in March 2013. |
Like other opposition leaders, he blames 15 years of failed socialist policies for the economic decline of Venezuela, a major oil producer. | Like other opposition leaders, he blames 15 years of failed socialist policies for the economic decline of Venezuela, a major oil producer. |
Mr Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail if convicted. | Mr Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail if convicted. |
A total of 42 people, both supporters and opponents of the government, have died in the protest-related violence. | A total of 42 people, both supporters and opponents of the government, have died in the protest-related violence. |
Thousands of demonstrators have been detained since the protests started, but most of them have since been released. |