A court in Venezuela has sentenced a policeman to 18 years in jail for the death of a teenager in an anti-government protest in February. Police officer Javier Mora Ortiz, 23, admitted responsibility in the death. BBC has more:
The 14-year-old protester, Kluiver Roa Nunez, was shot in the head by a plastic bullet during a march in the western city of San Cristobal. President Nicolas Maduro had condemned the incident and promised a full investigation.
The court in Caracas found Javier Mora guilty of murder. He was arrested shortly after the clash between hooded protesters and Venezuelan security forces on 24 February. President Maduro went on national television to regret the death of the student and call for an end to violence.
The student’s death sparked protests against legislation that allows the security forces to use force against protesters. Last year, the opposition and human rights organisations accused the Venezuelan government of using excessive force during months of protests in which more than 40 people died.
