Dozens of people detained during protests over Venezuela’s disputed presidential election have been released, according to the local rights group Foro Penal.

It was the first major release of political prisoners since the beginning of President Nicolás Maduro’s post-election crackdown, which advocates say has been the worst in the country’s recent history.

As many as 225 people who protested against Nicolás Maduro’s contested election victory were set to be freed from Venezuelan prisons this weekend, according to a person familiar with the matter.

At least 60 people detained during protests over Venezuela's disputed presidential election in July have been released from prison, local rights group Foro Penal said on Saturday.

At least 10 individuals held during Venezuela's post-election turmoil have been released, with reports of further expected releases from Yare III and Las Crisalidas prisons. The July election, which retained President Nicolas Maduro's leadership,