A former Venezuelan military sergeant seen here torturing a man by pulling a plastic bag over his head while interrogating him over the theft of a stereo has committed suicide before his trial can take place.
The torture footage was filmed by the military man’s wife at their home in the municipality of Urdaneta in the Venezuelan state of Lara on 22nd July, and the couple was later arrested for kidnapping and torturing the man.
However, it has now been reported on Friday that the retired sergeant killed himself in a military facility ahead of the first court hearing.
Yesin Antonio Linarez, a retired sergeant with the Venezuelan National Guard (GNB), was accused of kidnapping and torturing Hermis Jose Rivero Alvarez, 23, about the theft of the stereo.
The torture took place in front of his wife Luz Celeste Almao Carrera, who filmed the scene, and their young son who allegedly assisted.
According to the news site Infobae, the young son asked his dad “can I get you a bag?” before then fetching one.
The suspects were charged with multiple offences including torture, deprivation of liberty, and using a child to commit a crime.
The victim formally denounced the retired sergeant to the local authorities last week.
The young man said Linarez handcuffed him and took him to the suspects’ home where he “locked me in a room and beat me terribly, kicked me, threw me on the floor, and sat on my back”.
The victim also claimed that the retired sergeant used a plastic bag to “asphyxiate me”.
The couple were arrested on 28th July.
On 30th July, it was reported that Linarez committed suicide in a GNB facility in Barquisimeto ahead of the first hearing.
Meanwhile, his wife has been released by the court under the condition she appears before the authorities every eight days and does not leave the country.
The age of their son was not revealed.
