ABC: Cedeño case a 'point of honor' for prosecutors

At the end of 2008, Amsterdam joined the defense for Eligio Cedeño, the Venezuelan banker imprisoned since February 8th, 2007 in the headquarters of the DISIP (political police) in Caracas. His defenders allege that as this deals with a political prisoner, accused of supporting opposition members such as the union leader Carlos Ortega, the case has acquired an international dimension.

From humble origins, Cedeño became a successful banker to the extent that he had to sell Banpro and Bolívar Banco "in a bad way," explains his Venezuelan lawyer Emilio Berrizbeitia to ABC. The imprisoned banker "was seen to be involved in a simulated import of computers with the goal of obtaining foreign exchange," according to his defense, under an investigation opened in 2003. Once arrested, he was accused of "embezzlement of financial resources." Among the "grotesque procedural irregularities," Berrizbeitia denounces his continued imprisonment in pre-trial detention "without having been judged, nor sentenced, nor charged."

Today in Spain Robert Amsterdam is presenting the White Paper "Bolivarian Rule of Lawlessness," of which he is one of the three authors denouncing the violations of the Judiciary. Eligio Cedeño is portrayed in the white paper as a "classic case" which demonstrates "how the regime operates to attack its opponents."

- What is the next step in the Eligio Cedeño case?

In the coming weeks we are planning on taking the Cedeño case and the Chávez regime before the international courts.

- In Spain, for example?

We are going to do it step by step. We are working on a lawsuit, but not necessarily in Spain. The corruption of the Chávez regime is so extreme that it could be brought not only before international courts but also national courts.

- Why do you consider him a political prisoner?

He is not being targeted for financial or legal reasons. The irregularities in this case are quite extraordinary, such as being held for two years and four months without trial or the extension of his pre-trial detention for two more years.

- Did he commit any crime as a banker?

No. There was a trial, it became clear that he was going to be freed, but the judge was recused from the case at the last minute.

- You say that he supported opponents of Hugo Chávez's government.

He knew them and when they had problems and were in prison, he assisted their families. Furthermore, the new ambassador to Spain, Isaías Rodríguez, when he was the attorney general of Venezuela he was very bothered by Cedeño. For the attorney general, imprisoning Cedeño was a point of honor.