Former Venezuelan defense minister and retired general, Raul Baduel reportedly died after contracting Covid-19, Tuesday (12/10) local time. Baduel, who is considered a prisoner of the opposition is in jail for corruption cases that ensnared him to an alleged conspiracy against Maduro.
“We regret the death of Raul Isaias Baduel due to heart-respiratory failure, and contracting the Corona virus, even though he received appropriate medical treatment and has received the first dose of vaccine,” said attorney general Tarek Saab in a statement on his official Twitter.
Saab did not specify whether Baduel was hospitalized or in prison when he died. He has been detained at a Sebin intelligence police website.
Human rights groups later blamed the government for his death. “With the death of Raul Isaias Baduel, ten political prisoners have died in custody,” activist Gonzalo Himiob said on Twitter. “The responsibility for the life and health of every prisoner rests with the state.”
Last year Baduel’s daughter told Reuters her father had not yet been tried on the second stage of charges against him. He admitted that his lawyer could not access his case files.
(NFL)
