Oaxaca de Juàrez, Oaxaca, September 21, 2007

FREEDOM FOR DAVID VENEGAS DENIED ONCE MORE
“Alebrije"

We wish to inform you that yesterday, September 20, 2007, the Oaxaca state government authorities made yet another dirty move against our compañero David Venegas “El Alebrije�?.

Just a few days before, the federal authorities had responded to the petition for a protective writ for David against the pre-trial detention order on charges of SEDITION, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, and ARSON, granting him a protective writ for the second time. He is due to be released, given that the federal authorities recognized that there was no legal basis for any of the three charges against him.

Yesterday, however, the day he should have been released, the authorities of the Ulises Ruíz government issued a NEW PRE-TRIAL DETENTION ORDER ON RECONFIGURED CHARGES, which are:

ATTACKING A THOROUGHFARE, RESISTING ARREST, REBELLION, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

As a result, our compañero has not been released and is still unjustly held prisoner at Oaxaca’s central prison Santa Marìa Ixcotel, when he should have already been granted his unconditional freedom.

So great is the current government’s fear of freeing a rebellious young man that it has resorted to a whole series of political and judicial maneuvers and false arguments to keep him in prison. We remind you that:
Abuse Nº 1 David was arrested in April, 2007 on trumped up drug charges despite the fact that our comrade neither uses nor sells them.
Abuse Nº2 When David was just about to be released due to unfounded charges, a new pre-trial detention order was issued for the offenses of SEDITION, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, AND ARSON.
Abuse Nº3 Threats were sent against David and his family by the murderer Ulises Ruíz in May of 2007.
Abuse Nº4 When David obtained a protective writ in June against these charges, the Oaxaca state government authorities took the writ under consideration, thereby delaying his release even more.
Abuse Nº5 When the federal authorities declared that there were no constitutional grounds for the three charges and that David should be immediately released, the state authorities issued a new pre-trial detention order on the five previously mentioned charges.

In view of the abuses against all of our comrades held as political prisoners and in view of the ELEVEN YEARS OF UNJUST IMPRISONMENT OF OUR INDIGENOUS ZAPOTEC BROTHERS FROM THE LOXICHA REGION, WE URGE YOU TO DEMONSTRATE ON September 25, 2007 (the 11th anniversary of the repression in Loxicha).

IN THE CITY OF OAXACA, THERE WILL BE A MARCH AT 4:00 PM, STARTING FROM THE PASEO JUÀREZ “EL LLANO�?.

IRON BARS CAN’T HUSH THE TRUTH!
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS!

see: www.nodho.org

Kolectivo Todxs Somos Presxs