CARCARAS, VENEZUELA—The American filmmaker Timothy Tracy was charged for fomenting post-election violence in Carcaras. He was formally accused of conspiracy, association for criminal purposes, and use of a false document.
Tracy will remain in custody for 45 days as a judge rules on the charges that are currently against him. Tracy’s attorney, a Ms Gloria Stifano, told the media that her client’s films “have nothing to do with state security”.
Instead, Tracy was allegedly “gathering personal tales to understand the division of Venezuelan society”. The US government maintains that the man is innocent.
Tracy was arrested as he tried to leave the country through Caracas international airport. Authorities state that he had been detained twice before: once for filming a pro-government rally and once outside the presidential palace.
He has been accused for directing funds towards student protestors after he disputed presidential elections earlier in the month.
Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said that Tracy was trying to “destabilize the country with the goal of starting a civil war.”
The presidential election was won by less than two points by Nicolas Maduro, who succeeds his mentor, Hugo Chavez. Chavez died of cancer in March.
A full recount of the vote has been demanded.
By: Julia Roake
Source: BBC
Image: BBC
1 May 2013
08:00am PDT