Students from the Central University of Venezuela -UCV- gathered this Monday in front of the Ombudsman’s Office to demand the resignation of Tarek William Saab, who last week temporarily assumed the position of head of that organization after his departure as Attorney General of the Republic.
During the protest, student leaders They questioned the legitimacy of Saab to occupy the position of ombudsman, which must be assumed by someone committed to the protection of citizens’ rights.
“He imprisoned thousands of Venezuelans for false records”
“We feel dismayed by this situation because it cannot be that the attorney general of the Republic who imprisoned thousands of Venezuelans for false files Today it is the one who intends to defend them,” said Miguelángel Borsegui, Secretary of International Affairs of the FCU-UCV.
Borsegui recalled the active participation of the student movement in the country’s politics.
“On January 10, we were the ones who delegitimized Maduro, saying that he was not president of the Republic. On July 28, we took to the streets to defend the will of the Venezuelans and “Today we again demand that the former prosecutor be dismissed, that he resign.”
Jesús Leopoldo, president of the UCV Law Student Center, highlighted Saab’s links with Chavismo.
“We will not allow the appointment of Tarek William Saab as ombudsmansince he has always defended the interests of the ruling party. We demand your immediate resignation; “The people are alone as long as Tarek is in the Ombudsman’s Office,” he said.
Octavio González, university advisor of the UCV, pointed out that the official “He doesn’t defend anyone at all”and accused him of having used his position as attorney general to “persecute the freedom of thought of Venezuelans.”
“His interests are only linked to staying in power and guarantee that this regime continues to threaten freedom in the country,” he expressed.
Saab, who resigned as attorney general, succeeded Alfredo Ruiz, who left the position of ombudsman for supposed health reasons.
Legacy of persecution and arbitrary arrests
During his management in front dthe Public Ministry, Saab highlighted the conviction of 825 people and the indictment of 3,116 citizens, including almost 3,000 state security officials, in addition to campaigns against corruption, pedophilia, drug trafficking and animal abuse.
However, the opposition and human rights organizations criticized his management forto political persecution and arbitrary arrests.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission urged him to investigate human rights violations in Venezuela.
Saab, lawyer and poet of Lebanese origin, He has been a historical figure of Chavismo. He participated in the defense of Hugo Chávez after the 1992 coup and held positions as ombudsman (2014-2017), attorney general and governor of Anzoátegui.
