I would like to take this opportunity to express my joy at returning home after 500 days spent in the Rodeo 1 high security prison in Venezuela. My health is gradually improving yet it complicates my daily activities. The psychological strain was extreme and therefore I ask for understanding.
The course of my imprisonment was extremely demanding various assessments could be made regarding how I was treated. The days passed in constant stress and uncertainty about what might happen next. Complete isolation, zero access to information and no consular visits were only parts of practices meant to completely “cut us off” from the world. I practically lived the entire time in a cell measuring 3.6 m x 1.9 m which I shared with another inmate. Constant psychological and physical punishments led to several suicide attempts by other prisoners, which in turn caused further repressive measures and even harsher conditions, which were far beyond inhumane. Effective medical care was nonexistent. Constant cold and zero hygiene led to often very serious health complications of almost all prisoners.
I would like to express my gratitude to those who were involved in resolving the entire situation, especially to my family, who truly did everything possible and impossible to get me back home. However, my family had the support of other people, particularly my friends, who also did an enormous amount of work, and they have my sincere thanks. Valuable advices from experts in the field were also provided by people from the CASLA institute and other foreign policy specialists, who were in constant close contact with my family. I will not forget the first face to face visit, which was successfully arranged thanks to the tremendous efforts of the diplomat representing the European Union in Venezuela. I would like to take this opportunity to also thank her and her entire team in Caracas. Last but not least, I want to thank everyone who was on the plane that flew to Caracas for me and my colleagues. I appreciate your time, dedication, and I am grateful to you for our safe return home. I also cannot overlook the excellent care provided by the doctors and other medical staff at the Central Military Hospital, who took care of me at an absolutely professional level. Both familiar and unfamiliar people constantly send me a large number of messages, which I try to respond to diligently, although I haven't managed to address everything yet. I thank all of you for your enormous support.
I would now like to direct the support that has accumulated over time to where it is most needed, for the liberation and assistance of other political prisoners whom the Venezuelan regime has still not released, among whom are many of my friends who helped me in hard times.
I ask the public and the media to respect the privacy of me and my family, as we have been through a challenging ordeal, and it will take some time for things to settle down again.
Jan Darmovzal