Urgent Action Outcome: Venezuelan Photographer Finally Released

Carlos Debiais, a Venezuelan photographer unfairly detained since 12 November 2021, was finally released from prison on 6 June 2023. He had been issued a release warrant in April 2022 which prison authorities refused to execute, keeping him arbitrarily detained for the next 15 months. His release is contingent on him reporting to the court every 60 days, which remains a cause of concern.

NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.

Carlos Debiais, a Venezuelan photographer, was detained on 12 November 2021 and was arbitrarily held in Caracas since 12 April 2022, when a release warrant was issued in his name. Carlos Debiais was filming in Falcón state when he was questioned by security personnel of the state-owned oil company PDVSA and later detained by officers of the Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). His fate and whereabouts were unknown on several occasions during his detention. On 6 June 2023, Carlos was finally released from arbitrary detention. 

Carlos Debiais expressed his deepest gratitude to activists who acted on his behalf and indicated that other detainees were aware of the public mobilisation on his case and felt represented and supported. “Thank you on behalf of myself and my family for the incredible work you did making my case known and for helping me in the complicated situation I was put in. Fortunately, I am now free. Thank you to the entire Amnesty family.”

Amnesty International will continue monitoring his case and mobilising if any further actions are taken against Carlos.