IPPF/WHR DENOUNCES RESULT OF LOAIZA CASE -- VENEZUELAN COURTS FAIL TO DELIVER JUSTICE AGAIN

Perpetrator Accused of Kidnapping, Rape and Torture, Expected to Be Released Soon After Sentencing!

New York, NY—Five years after being kidnapped, raped, and tortured over a period of four months, justice has once again been denied to Linda Loaiza of Venezuela.  The Seventh Tribunal of Justice in Caracas decided last week that Luis Carrera Almoina, Ms. Loaiza’s assailant, was only guilty of severe assault and deprivation of liberty, despite being accused of attempted homicide, rape and torture.

The judge handed down a sentence of only six years imprisonment.  There has been rampant speculation that the court may actually set him free as he has already spent four years in custody and would be eligible for parole.  The decision will be made final when officially published on March 23.

“This verdict is an outrage,” said Carmen Barroso, Western Hemisphere Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF/WHR).  “It is an example of the immense difficulty faced by women all over the world when they seek justice in the face of violence and abuse.  IPPF/WHR will support Linda as she appeals the decision and continues her quest for closure.”

In July of 2001, Ms. Loaiza was rescued by police from Carrera Almoina’s apartment in Caracas. She had been repeatedly raped and tortured; she was found in a state of severe malnutrition, with her earlobes destroyed, a nipple cut out, cigarette burns all over her body, multiple cranial fractures, and bruises and cuts on her face and genital area.

“Justice was not served,” Ms. Loaiza declared. “I consider this sentence a mockery. The evidence was so clear. No one who experienced what I did should have to struggle for five years with the justice system and see this sentence issued.”

Carrerra Almoina, whose influential father was president of a major university in Caracas, had been previously arrested for torturing his partner. After being detained and put under house arrest, Carrera Almoina attempted to flee with the help of his father. He was captured the next day, and his father was later charged with obstructing judicial action.

Ms. Loaiza’s case was deferred by the Venezuelan justice system more than 30 times; 60 judges declined to prosecute the man accused of torturing her.  More than three years later, Linda had to go on a 13-day hunger strike on the courthouse steps before the case finally went to trial, but on October 21, 2004, Carrera Almoina and his father were acquitted of all charges.  The judge cited a “lack of evidence” and, astonishingly, ordered an investigation of Loaiza, her father, and sister for involvement in prostitution.  This verdict was eventually thrown out and the case retried.

Since this trial began last fall, Linda has started her own foundation, Fundación Amigos de Linda Loaiza, which will address both issues of violence against women and the process that women face to get justice.  Linda’s foundation will also focus on raising community awareness of gender-based violence , working in partnership with PLAFAM, International Planned Parenthood Federation’s affiliate in Venezuela.

In support of Ms. Loaiza, IPPF/WHR had launched an internet campaign, www.JusticeforLinda.org, that facilitated more than 40,000 messages of support from American activists to the Venezuelan courts.

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For more information, please contact:  Dan Klotz (917) 438-4613 / (347) 307-2866 cell or Maria Antonieta Alcalde (212) 214-0290