Ivan Simonovis
Former Director of Security at the Caracas Metropolitan Municipality. He was arrested in November 2004 and accused by Hugo Chávez’s government of the violence that took place in Caracas in April 2002. In 2009, he was found guilty and sentenced to 30 years in the notorious Ramo Verde Prison, located on the outskirts of Caracas. Due to very poor detention conditions, his health deteriorated. He started suffering from advanced osteoporosis because of sun deprivation during many years, which compromised his life. He requested medical treatment and humanitarian pardon on several occasions, and different organizations also filed petitions on his behalf. All requests were denied by the Venezuelan government. On September 2014, Simonovis was granted house arrest to be able to continue his medical treatment.
En nombre de mi familia, quiero agradecer infinitamente a todos los ciudadanos valientes y solidarios, quienes respaldan la lucha por la libertad de todos los presos políticos y el rescate de Venezuela, convertida hoy en una cárcel de 30 millones de habitantes. #NosVemosPronto pic.twitter.com/tiaa9CJAxp
— Bony Pertiñez de Simonovis (@bonypertinezh) May 20, 2019
Simonovis was freed from house arrest, announced Interim President Juan Guaidó on May, 16, 2019. His wife Bony Petiñez tweeted a family picture on May 20. His whereabouts were unknown until June 24, 2019 when he reappeared in Washington, DC to meet with US officials.
In an exclusive interview with Associated Press, he talked about the meticulous escape plan and what he endured after escaping house arrest rappelling down a 75-foot (25-meter) wall. He also explained that he plans on working alongside US authorities to undermine the Maduro regime.
In an exclusive interview with Associated Press, he talked about the meticulous escape plan and what he endured after escaping house arrest rappelling down a 75-foot (25-meter) wall. He also explained that he plans on working alongside US authorities to undermine the Maduro regime.
