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Clashes, flag-burning in Caracas as verdict nears for jailed opposition leader

Associated Press
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A woman is detained by national police during clashes between supporters of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and government loyalists outside the courthouse in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Supporters of a high-profile jailed Venezuelan opposition leader clashed with government loyalists Thursday outside a Caracas courthouse in anticipation of an impending verdict. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez face government loyalists during clashes outside the courthouse in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Supporters of a high-profile jailed Venezuelan opposition leader clashed with government loyalists Thursday outside a Caracas courthouse in anticipation of an impending verdict.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

A supporter of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez stands behind a cordon of National Guard soldier as she seeks safety from clashes between Lopez supporters and government loyalists outside the courthouse in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Supporters of a high-profile jailed Venezuelan opposition leader clashed with government loyalists Thursday outside a Caracas courthouse in anticipation of an impending verdict. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of a high-profile jailed Venezuelan opposition leader have clashed with government loyalists outside a Caracas courthouse.

Members of Leopoldo Lopez's party arrived early Thursday morning to protest and pray, as they have dozens of times since Lopez's imprisonment 19 months ago. Lopez is accused of fomenting violence during a 2014 protest movement. A verdict is thought to be near.

Around midday, red-shirted government supporters showed up and began chanting that Lopez was a murderer and a terrorist. Some burned the orange flag of Lopez's political party and threw bottles and sticks at Lopez's wife as she passed a police barricade to enter the court.

A line of police in riot gear separated the two sides, but were unable to prevent direct confrontations. At least two women were hurt.