Two Venezuelan lawyers, Maria Mercedes Berthé and Jesus Calma, denounced on Friday not knowing the whereabouts of their client, the former president of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and former vice-president of Nicolás Maduro, Tarek El Aissami. The lawyers expressed concern about the situation of their constituent, who was detained and accused of corruption crimes.
Tarek El Aissami, who also held the position of oil minister, is among those detained in the operation known as "White Bracelet," which aims to combat corruption in the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. The detention of the former vice-president is part of a broader investigation that has already resulted in several arrests of high-ranking officials linked to the Maduro government.
The lawyers reported having no access to information about where El Aissami is being held, nor about the conditions in which he finds himself. This situation raises concerns about respect for the former official's legal rights during the detention and investigation process.
