A/HRC/44/20 identified as the alleged perpetrator. In addition, seven cases were attributed to the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations; three cases to armed colectivos; two cases to the National Bolivarian Police; one case to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation; one case to the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command of the Bolivarian National Guard. Moreover, one death occurred in custody and was allegedly committed by the Bolivarian National Guard. The pattern identified in these cases is similar to that described in the report of the High Commissioner of July 2019 to the Human Rights Council.27 37. The victims of the killings documented by OHCHR were all young men, mostly under the age of 30, belonging to low-income families in disadvantaged neighbourhoods marked by high crime rates. Some victims had a criminal record, while others did not and were allegedly targeted for personal revenge or due to mistaken identity. 38. The Government reported that from 2017 to the first trimester of 2020, a total of 731 members of security forces were accused of homicide. Of those accused, 492 were charged, 436 were deprived of their liberty and 117 were convicted for homicide. 28 In the same period, the Office of the Attorney General initiated 4,890 investigations for killings in the context of security operations. As of March 2020, a total of 4,861 of the investigations were in a preliminary phase, 15 in an intermediate phase and 13 in the trial phase. The perpetrator was convicted for homicide in one case.29 39. OHCHR presented to the Directorate for the Protection of Human Rights of the Office of the Attorney General a list of 28 alleged killings perpetrated in the context of security operations conducted between May 2016 and November 2019. According to the Office of the Attorney General, all cases were still under investigation, pending the receipt of information – e.g., result of the autopsy, ballistic comparison and criminal record of the victim – from investigative bodies, in particular from the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations. Witnesses were reportedly interviewed in one case. B. Right to liberty 40. During the reporting period, OHCHR documented restrictions to the right to liberty of demonstrators, and media and health workers, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also documented violations of due process in cases of persons charged for crimes such as treason, rebellion, public incitement, conspiracy, attempted assassination, terrorism or funding of terrorism. 41. In the context of protests related to public services, OHCHR documented the detention of 17 demonstrators throughout the country, including children and older persons. It also documented three cases of torture and a sexual assault of demonstrators detained by members of security forces in Lara State on 20 May. 42. Four media workers were victims of arbitrary arrests by security forces, and seven were granted precautionary measures by a judge while awaiting trial. Many reported facing additional difficulties extending to loss of employment and having bank accounts closed. Four journalists have gone into hiding for fear of detention. OHCHR documented eight cases of security forces, local authorities and armed colectivos intimidating or impeding journalists from covering the health crisis, as well as six journalists and media workers arrested while reporting on COVID-19 cases. Three of them were charged under legislation against hate speech. 43. During the reporting period, OHCHR also documented the arbitrary arrest of three health professionals for denouncing the lack of basic equipment, providing information about COVID-19 or criticizing the Government’s response to the pandemic. OHCHR documented the brief detention by the Bolivarian National Guard of a human rights defender who was assisting individuals protesting in Lara State. 27 28 29 8 A/HRC/41/18, paras. 47–52. Response from the Government to the OHCHR questionnaire. Ibid. OHCHR did not receive disaggregated data related to the reporting period.