Venezuelans rally against opposition leader’s jailing

Thousands take to the streets after Leopoldo Lopez is given 14-year prison term over anti-government demonstrations.

Thousands of Venezuelans have marched in cities across the country to protest against the jailing of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.

He was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison earlier this month on the charge of inciting violence at anti-government demonstrations last year.

Protesters claim the sentence was politically motivated.

Lopez supporters last took to the streets in May, when the imprisoned politician went on strike to demand that the government set a date for legislative elections.

Those elections have since been set for December 6 and the opposition is polling well ahead of the socialist party.

Al Jazeera’s Virginia Lopez reports from Caracas.

Source: Al Jazeera

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