Venezuela court orders trial for 11 student protesters, frees others arrested

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan courts have ordered 11 student protesters to stand trial, but they have freed more than 150 others arrested with them during raids on their encampments.

A Sunday statement from legal officials says the 11 face charges including weapons offenses, criminal association and incitement to violate laws.

But it says 156 others will be freed, though they will have to report periodically to the courts. Some protesters were freed earlier.

Hundreds of police and troops arrested 243 student protesters during pre-dawn raids Thursday on encampments of protesters opposed to President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government.