political crucifixion
[amazing pix at the site]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6158229.stm
Paraguay man crucified in public
Protesters in Paraguay have staged a public crucifixion calling for a
jailed former army general to be set free.
Mr Velazquez called on the court to review Gen Oviedo’s 10-year jail
sentence for plotting a 1996 coup.
Gen Oviedo remains popular in parts of Paraguay, with supporters
saying his sentence was politically motivated.
He was convicted by a military tribunal in 1998 of plotting to
overthrow Paraguay’s government.
He was arrested after returning to Paraguay in 2004 from exile in
Brazil.
Nailed tight
In the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, dozens of Gen Lino’s supporters
gathered outside the Supreme Court for the dramatic crucifixion.
Draped in banners calling for Gen Lino to be set free, Mr Velazquez
was hoisted onto a wooden cross and tied by the arms and legs.
Nails were then driven through the palms of his hands.
Grimacing with pain, Mr Velazquez - who is also undergoing a hunger
strike - demanded that Gen Lino’s sentence be reviewed.
“The Supreme Court must review this conviction. In 1998, Oviedo was
convicted by a military tribunal but that is illegal in times of peace.
“We believe that he is being politically persecuted.”
The Associated Press reported that the Supreme Court said it would
review the case as a matter of course.
Coup country
Gen Oviedo initially rose to prominence in Paraguay in February 1989.
He played a prominent part in the uprising that overthrew the regime
of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and set the country on the path back to
civilian government.
Before being jailed, he had his political ambitions, first within the
governing Colorado Party and then as head of his own Unace (National
Union of Ethical Citizens) political movement.
But his jail term stems from a short-lived 1996 rebellion against
former then-President Juan Carlos Wasmosy.
He is being held at a military prison, and continues to deny plotting
against Mr Wasmosy, who was Paraguay’s first elected civilian
president after Gen Stroessner was ousted.
During five years of exile in Brazil, Gen Oviedo indicated he was
considering running for the Paraguayan presidency in 2008.