Venezuela: Opposition leader sentenced to 14 years in prison

A prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison.

In his verdict, Lopez is accused of inciting violence during protests in 2014 in which 43 people lost their lives, reports the BBC.

Lopez has been in a military prison since February 2014.

While waiting for the verdict, there was a massive clash between his supporters and pro-government activists outside the court in Caracas.

The opposition leader's defense complained of a series of irregularities throughout the case. Thus, 138 witnesses were heard in favor of the lawsuit, while on the other hand, only one of the 50 defense witnesses was heard.

Lopez's family points out that he was imprisoned in solitary confinement for 19 months, and that he was denied basic human rights.

President Maduro accused the opposition of inciting new violence.