The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported this Wednesday that the social communication student and digital reporter Omario Castellanos was accused of crimes of terrorism, treason, incitement to hatred and association to commit a crime.
Castellanos, who worked covering tourism and sports sources for the media I am Larensewas arrested on October 16 in an irregular operation. According to the SNTP, police officials broke into his house in Lara state without a court order and confiscated his work tools, including phones, camera and laptop.
They were transferred to Yare prison
The persecution extended to his family. The social communicator was presented before a court in Lara along with his mother and brother, who were accused of the same crimes. After the hearing, the transfer of the young man and his family to the Yare prison, in the state of Miranda, was ordered.
The SNTP demanded the immediate release of Castellanos and medical attention, since the student, who has already completed his academic course at the University of Yacambú, suffers from circulation problems and his lower extremities are swollen due to confinement.
The official and detailed reasons for the accusations against the reporter and his family are unknown. This case is added to the NGO’s list Criminal Forumwhich counts 875 political prisoners in Venezuela until October 27.
