The United Nations human rights office said it had investigated 124 deaths and found that security forces and pro-government groups were responsible for at least 73 protester deaths.

"We are concerned that the situation in Venezuela is escalating and these human rights violations show no signs of abating so we are worried about the direction in which it is heading," UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a news briefing in Geneva. "Responsibility for human rights violations we are reporting lies at the highest level of government."

The preliminary findings were based on 135 interviews conducted remotely in Panama and from Geneva in June and July, after the UN agency was denied access to Venezuela to investigate the situation in the country.

The UN called on the government of President Nicolas Maduro to rein in security forces and investigate alleged abuses and release people arbitrarily detained.

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The UN indictment comes just days after Venezuela inaugurated a new legislative assembly amid nationwide protests. The new body is expected to rewrite the constitution and give vast powers to Maduro's ruling Socialist Party.

Venezuela, which is suffering from an acute economic crisis marked by shortages of basic goods, has experienced four months of street demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro that claimed 125 lives.

The rights office said ill-treatment and even torture have been reported in detention.

"Tactics used included electric shocks, beatings, including with helmets and sticks while handcuffed, hanging detainees by the wrists for long periods, suffocation with gas, and threats of killings - and in some cases threats of sexual violence - against the detainees or their families," Shamdasani said.

ap/msh (Reuters, AFP)