Leopoldo López
Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López is seen during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, February 12, 2014. Reuters

Venezuela's Attorney General has formally charged opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez with four seperate crimes for which he could face up to 13 years in prison. Lopez has been in jail since last month, accused of inciting the violence that has escalated in Caracas since February 12th. Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz revealed that Lopez has been charged with damage to public property, conspiracy to commit a crime, public incitement and arsen.

Leopoldo Lopez could face up to 13 years and 9 months in prison, Ortega Díaz, revealed. Lopez, who is 42, is being investigated for his supposed involvement in the violence that errupted on the 12 of February in downtown Caracas and resulted in a three deaths, 66 wounded and 69 arrests. The opposition leader was arrested on the 18th of February in the Ramo Verde military jail outside the capital. On the 28th of March, a court of appeals rejected his lawyers' appeal to have him freed while his case was being processed.

Yesterday, protests nt ave errupted again in Caracas with at least seven people injured. Clashes between student protesters, armed civilians and police during another round of protests turned violent yet again in the Venezuelan capital. The protesters were called onto the streets by student leaders demanding an end to Venezuela's soaring inflation and the lack of basic resources. The protests come nearly two months after the first marches on February 12.

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