Former Mandela lawyer to join defence of Venezuela's jailed activist

CARACAS (Reuters) - A Canadian Member of Parliament and human rights lawyer who helped defend Nelson Mandela will join jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez's legal team, the South American politician's party said on Thursday. 

Irwin Cotler, a former Justice Minister and Attorney General for Canada, will visit Caracas in coming days to "actively join" Lopez's defence, the Popular Will party said in a statement.