"Llaguno Bridge Shooters" granted provision freedom to opposition's dismay

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

As expected, the Llaguno Bridge Shooters filmed on national TV taking potshots from the bridge at unknown objects during an anti-government march on April 11 have been granted conditional freedom and ordered to report to the court every week.  Special Appeal Court Judge Amalio Avila  accepted the four men's appeal after several weeks of postponements. 

Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) Libertador Municipality councilor, Richard Penalver and companions, Henry Atencio Atencio, Nicolas Rivera Amuente and Manuel Cabrices received their excarcelation papers last night in record time and are now awaiting trial. 

The four men's defense lawyer, Amado Molina argues that none of his clients has been accused of specific murders so they cannot be charged with homicide. 

The opposition and media reply that the Police Detective Branch (CICPC) has drawn up a case file on 50 persons allegedly accused of shooting at civilians ... "there is sufficient evidence to jail and try 27 of the 50." 

Some pro-government sites have been campaigning for the four suspects' release and want the media to drop the  description of the four as "shooters."