The editor-in-chief of the Venezuelan weekly newspaper Sexto Poder, Leocenis García, was released from prison and taken to a private clinic the night of Nov. 21 after spending 12 days on a hunger strike in prison to protest the charges against him, reported El Nacional.
García was released pending his trial, but certain restrictions were placed on the editor, who is prohibited from leaving the country or making statements to the media, and he must check in with police very eight days, according to the news site Terra. Still, the editor's lawyer said he is allowed to remain at the helm of the newspaper, reported El Universal.
The journalist was arrested Aug. 30, accused of inciting public hatred and being offensive toward women, after publishing a controversial photo-spread satirizing members of President Hugo Chavez's administration. The journalist's arrest prompted criticisms from press organizations that defended the editor's right to freedom of expression and expressed concern over his health.
