A prominent leader of the political opposition in Venezuela, whose arrest has drawn international criticism, will remain jailed as he awaits trial on charges of inciting violence at anti-government demonstrations. A judge's ruling early Thursday followed three days of deliberations during which lawyers for Leopoldo Lopez argued that the former mayor was being prosecuted for his political beliefs. Lopez is the head of the Popular Will political party. Before surrendering to authorities in February, he had been leading a movement to force President Nicolas Maduro to resign. Authorities ordered Lopez's arrest after three people were killed February 12 during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters that happened after peaceful demonstrations ended. At least 42 people have been killed on both sides in three months of unrest. If convicted, Lopez could face up to 13 years in prison. Maduro's arrest of his political opponents has drawn widespread condemnation abroad, with Amnesty International calling the charges against Lopez a "politically motivated attempt to silence dissent" at a time of popular frustration with economic mismanagement that has led to spiraling inflation and widespread shortages of basic goods. -- SPA 18:16 LOCAL TIME 15:16 GMT تغريد
