Page One Daily News
VENEZUELA - Spanish Prisoners Repatriated

* VENEZUELA

Spanish Prisoners Repatriated
The Venezuelan government repatriated 18 Spaniards sentenced for drug-trafficking

After qualifying the operation as of "profoundly humanitarian" character, Venezuela's Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami announced the repatriation of 18 Spaniards sentenced for drug-trafficking. According to the official, "these persons may be deprived of their liberty, but not of their country." El Aissami said that the Venezuelan government wants to strengthen and deepen its high level judicial relations with Spain. He also denied information published by Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo which said that the fifty police who arrived in Venezuela to escort the prisoners were being detained. The Minister called that information an act of agression and explained that the flight did not depart as planned due to technical issues. Also, he said that he asked Interpol in Madrid to send Venezuela the criminal records they have on the alleged ETA member, Arturo Cubillas, and explained that he would be processed according to local laws because he is a Venezuelan citizen.
18-Mar-2010 06:03pm