Venezuelan truth commission recommends release of 80 convicted prisoners

CARACAS - More than 80 prisoners convicted of violent crimes during anti-government protests in 2014 and 2017 could be released soon, Venezuela's truth commission said on Saturday.

Delcy Rodriguez, president of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) and its Commission for Public Justice, Peace and Tranquility, said the group has recommended that President Nicolas Maduro release certain inmates.

"We have recommended (conditional) pardons for more than 80 people, both to the criminal justice system and the president, and we are hoping it becomes effective in the coming hours," said Rodriguez.

The commission was created in August on the suggestion of the president's office to investigate protests sparked this year as well as the violence that marked the right-wing opposition's protest movement in 2014, known as "The Exit," which aimed to topple Maduro and the ruling socialist party.

"The commission has carried out exhaustive reviews of each criminal proceeding in the past four months," said Rodriguez.

Those pardoned will be expected to appear before the commission "to acknowledge the victims," and agree to perform "community service" in lieu of serving jail time, she added.