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News > Latin America

Suspect in Serra Murder Arrives in Venezuela

  • Padilla is expected to go to trial in Venezuela in the coming months.

    Padilla is expected to go to trial in Venezuela in the coming months. | Photo: teleSUR

Published 30 May 2015
Opinion

Leiver Padilla, the accused mastermind of the killing of a Venezuelan politician has been taken into custody in Caracas.

The prime suspect in the murder of a PSUV legislator was handed over to Venezuelan authorities Saturday. Leiver Padilla was transferred over to Venezuelan police shortly after arriving at Maiquetia International Airport.

“We will do whatever we have to do – in accordance with international law and treaties – to do justice and (see that there is) no impunity,” said interior minister Gustavo Gonzalez.

“There is nowhere to hide from Venezuelan justice,” he said.

He continued by thanking Colombian authorities for cooperating with Venezuela.

Padilla is accused of masterminding the killing of Robert Serra and his partner Maria Herrera in October 2014.

The 27-year-old Serra, who was the youngest serving member of the National Assembly, was seen as a rising star of the governing socialist party, the PSUV.

Serra's killing sparked a national outrage, and the government vowed to hunt down those responsible.

Padilla is accused of collaborating with Colombian paramilitaries, acting as part of broader efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government, including plots to assassinate leftist politicians.

He was arrested by Colombian authorities in November, with Venezuelan authorities submitting an extradition request afterward. Earlier this month the Colombian government agreed to extradite him to Caracas. He is facing a number of charges, including aggravated homicide.

Padilla is expected to go to trial in Venezuela in the coming months.

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