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ePaper created 2015-11-10, 17:27:36 | version 1.33.00
REDACTED Page 95 of 190 (a) In 2011, Human Rights Watch noted that the General Prosecutor was not investigating or holding accountable certain public officials that may had abused their authority by using it against perceived political opponents.379 (b) In February 2011, Interpol removed Nelson Mezerhane, one of the owners of Globovisión and owner of a local bank, accused of embezzlement, conspiracy and fraud, from its list of “red notice” alerts, arguing that several cases from Venezuela (including this case) were related to political persecutions.380 General Prosecutor Ortega Díaz criticized the decision as favouring impunity and constituting “meddling” in Venezuelan internal affairs.381 (c) In 2012, journalist Mario Villegas argued that the Office of Public Prosecutions constantly violated its constitutional duties to act in favour of the government. He stated that Ortega Díaz acted “more as a chavista than as a government official” and that presenting a complaint against the government in Venezuela was vain.382 (d) In 2014, legislator María Corina Machado was stripped of her elected post by means of dubious legal proceedings and, a few months later, charged by the Office of Public Prosecutions with conspiracy for participating in a plan to assassinate President Maduro. The role of Ortega Díaz during this whole process was heavily criticized by different sectors, which even accused her of participating in a joint plan with the PSUV to persecute opposition leaders.383 379 HRW. (2012) Tightening the Grip. Human Rights Watch. [Online] July. Available from: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/venezuela0712webwcover.pdf. [Accessed 24 October, 2015] Chapter “The Courts” and p.129 380 REARDON, J. (2011) “General Prosecutor Accuses INTERPOL of ‘Meddling’ in Venezuelan Internal Affairs.” Venezuelan Analysis. [Online] 25 February. Available from: http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6027 [Accessed 24 October, 2015]; HRW. (2012) Tightening the Grip. p.68 381 REARDON, J. (2011) “General Prosecutor Accuses INTERPOL of ‘Meddling’ in Venezuelan Internal Affairs”; HRW. (2012) Tightening the Grip. p.68 382 NOTICIAS24. (2012) “Mario Villegas: ‘Denunciar ante la fiscal Luisa Ortega Díaz es como gastar pólvora en zamuro.’ Noticias24. [Online] 6 August. Available from: http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/119754/mario-villegas-denunciar-ante-la-fiscal-luisa- ortega-diaz-es-como-gastar-polvora-en-zamuro/ [Accessed 24 October, 2015] 383 INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP. (2014) Venezuela: Tipping Point. p.15; MEZA, A. (2014) La fiscalía acusa a la principal líder opositora por conspirar contra Maduro. El Pais. [Online] 3 December. Available from: http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2014/12/03/actualidad/1417628735_257437.html [Accessed 24 October, 2015]; DE LA ROSA, A. (2014) Recusan a Luisa Ortega Díaz por emitir opinión en caso contra Machado. El Universal. [Online] 2 June. Available from: http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/protestas-en-venezuela/140602/recusan-a-luisa- ortega-diaz-por-emitir-opinion-en-caso-contra-machado [Accessed 24 October, 2015]; IACHR. (2015) IACHR Expresses Deep Concern over the Situation regarding the Rule of Law in Venezuela. Inter American Council of Human Rights. [Online] 24 February. Available from: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/media_center/PReleases/2015/015.asp [Accessed 24 October, 2015]