NPC Newsmaker Program: Wife of Celebrated Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez Speaks at National Press Club on Eve of His Trial

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Jul 09, 2014, 02:46 ET

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lilian Tintori, wife of imprisoned Venezuelan political activist Leopoldo López, former mayor of the Chacao district of Caracas and the leader of the Popular Will opposition party, will speak at a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference on Monday, July 21 – two days before López is scheduled to go on trial in Caracas – and release a major report examining the charges against her husband and placing them in the context of the domestic political situation in Venezuela.

A popular political figure, López is seen by many as a potential future President of Venezuela. He was outpolling President Hugo Chavez before Chavez's death last year – and López was barred from holding public office. He was one of the leaders of protests in Caracas early this year that left more than 40 dead and some 900 injured. He was arrested on February 18 on what Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international human rights groups have condemned as politically motivated, bogus charges. He will be tried on charges of public incitement, damage to property, fire damage and "association for conspiracy."

Examining the case with Tintori will be her international lawyers Jared Genser and José Antonio Maes. Although López repeatedly called for non-violent protests, Venezuela's government is arguing in court that he subliminally encouraged protestors to engage in violence. He faces 10 years imprisonment.

This NPC Newsmakers news conference is scheduled for Monday, July 21 at 10 a.m. in the club's Zenger Room, on the 13^th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14^th St. NW, Washington DC 20045.

Like all Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed press and NPC club members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact:

Tony Gallo, NPC Newsmakers Event Host, 202 -544-6973, [email protected]
Herb Perone, NPC Newsmakers Chairman, 301-512-7636, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club