Lopez, imprisoned in 2014, gets relief on health grounds

Venezuela’s best-known jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has been granted house arrest after more than three years in jail, the country’s Supreme Court said on Saturday, citing health problems.

Mr. Lopez, 46, was jailed in 2014 for his role in leading months of anti-government protests against President Nicolas Maduro. “Maikel Moreno, President of the [Supreme Court], has granted a humanitarian measure that is in compliance with the law,” the court tweeted.

Opposition leaders and human rights activists around the world had for years condemned Mr. Lopez’s imprisonment after what they called a sham trial on cooked up charges.

“We are thrilled that Leopoldo Lopez is at home with his family. They should give full freedom to him and all the political prisoners,” fellow opposition leader Henrique Capriles said, referring to the several hundred other jailed activists.

Global pressure

The opposition has long called Mr. Lopez a political prisoner, and leaders around the world have pressed for his release, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

President Maduro, who for years refused to pardon Mr. Lopez, has described him as a dangerous terrorist who sought to overthrow him through street violence.