NewsLocal News

Actions

CITGO 6 members now under house arrest

Posted
and last updated

Gabriela Zambrano Hill has confirmed to KRIS Communications that her father Alirio Zambrano; his brother, Jose Luis Zambrano; and the four other members of the CITGO 6 have been released from prison and have been placed under house arrest.

Two unnamed sources familiar with the case confirmed to the Associated Press late Monday that the men had been transferred. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case.

The two people said the mens' lawyers made the request to be granted house arrest due to health concerns. There was no immediate comment from President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Two of Zambrano's daughters, Zambrano Hill and and Alexandra Zambrano Forseth, have actively worked to get their father released, including circulating a petition last month they planned to take to the U.S. government for help in getting their father released, and helping to organize a march in Houston in October designed to bring attention to the mens' plight.

The men have reportedly faced inhumane treatment, including malnourishment and isolation while in jail in Venezuela.

A little more than two years ago, Zambrano and the other men were summoned to Venezuela, where CITGO's parent company is based. When they arrived, they were accused of embezzlement and treason, and imprisoned.