(Photo: CSW)
After a prolonged imprisonment, which he claims included torture, a Venezuelan bishop has been set free. Bishop Dr. Jylman Red Jurado Farfán spent five years behind bars under accusations that have sparked significant concerns about the judicial process involved.
Arrested on July 30, 2021, Bishop Jurado Farfán faced charges related to terrorism, criminal association, and conspiracy, with the government alleging his involvement in plots against the state. However, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has highlighted numerous irregularities in his legal proceedings, including the suppression of his case file for nearly ten months and a trial that yielded no substantial evidence over two years.
The bishop’s health had become a growing concern, particularly after he reported serious ailments such as atypical pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding in June. Despite these challenges, he, along with 80 other detainees, was released on August 14.
In recounting his experience, Bishop Jurado Farfán described instances of torture, including having his toenails removed and enduring electrical burns. In a statement to CSW, he expressed gratitude, saying, “My beloved brothers and sisters in the unity of the body of Christ, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, my fraternal hugs; and I bless God for the feeling and the desire that God placed in your hearts so that this liberation would be possible, where the Lord broke the chains of oppression, of fear, of torture, and gave us [physical] freedom.”
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader, voiced relief at his release but criticized the circumstances of his detention, stating, “We strongly condemn the torture he experienced and the failure of those in authority to ensure he was provided adequate treatment for his medical conditions.”
Stangl further urged the Venezuelan government to halt its oppressive actions against religious figures, emphasizing the need for community support without fear of reprisal. “Now that he is free, we wish him a full recovery from this ordeal. The Venezuelan government must cease its harassment of religious leaders and others whose only crime is peacefully supporting their communities as they feel called to do.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
