Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has been jailed for nearly 14 years on charges of inciting 2014 anti-government protests that turned violent, killing more than 40 people.
The ruling enraged opponents of socialist President Nicolas Maduro, who say Lopez is an innocent scapegoat. But it brought cheers from grassroots government supporters who view the US-educated activist as a dangerous conspirator.
After a marathon session at the heavily guarded Palace of Justice, judge Susana Barreiros ruled Lopez, 44, who was arrested in February last year, had masterminded the violence and street riots that erupted for three months.
Though Lopez had publicly called for peaceful resistance to the Maduro government and was behind bars during most of the unrest, prosecutors said his speeches sent subliminal message sand constituted a call to violence.
He was ordered to return to the Ramo Verde military jail to serve a sentence of 13 years and nine months.
Lopez's case has become a cause celebre for opposition supporters over what they deem the Maduro government's trampling of human rights.
The US government, the United Nations and international rights groups have all called for Lopez's release.
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