Wife of imprisoned Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López to speak, July 21

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 Newsmakers news conference on Monday, July 21 at 10 a.m. in the First Amendment Lounge.

Lopez is scheduled for trial in a Caracas court on July 23.

Tintori and her attorneys will present a 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 out-polling 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.

Police arrested Lopez 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.

Like all Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed press and NPC club members, free of charge. No advance registration is required. For more information, contact Tony Gallo, NPC Newsmakers event host, at 202 -544-6973 or via email at [email protected].