Venezuela Supreme Court bars Chavez foe from discussing criminal case with news media

Chavez foe barred from talking to media about case

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s highest court on Sunday barred an outspoken opponent of President Hugo Chavez from talking to news media about criminal charges alleging he struck a police official.

The Supreme Court’s order prohibits lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje from “talking in relation to the present issue through any media outlet,” including television, radio, newspapers or the Internet.

It said the measure is meant to protect the “reputation, integrity and honor of the victim.”

The court order comes as a chorus of Chavez critics and human rights groups are accusing the government of increasingly using the courts to punish its adversaries while ignoring other allegedly illegal acts by the socialist leader’s allies.

Chavez rejects such accusations.

Azuaje, a former supporter of the president, has denied any wrongdoing, saying the charges against him are politically motivated for his criticism of the Chavez and his family.

The legislator from Chavez’s home state of Barinas has long complained of harassment by authorities that he claims is retaliation for his allegations of corruption and nepotism against Chavez’s family. The family denies the accusations.

Police official Yuraima Castillo has accused Azuaje of verbally abusing her and grabbing and hitting her on the shoulder during an argument while he was picking up a car that had been stolen from his mother and recovered by police.

Azuaje was detained Thursday after prosecutors accused him of insulting a public official and breaking a law that prohibits violence against women.

The National Assembly, which is dominated by allies of Chavez, lifted Azuaje’s immunity as a lawmaker from prosecution Friday — a rare step usually reserved for crimes such as corruption.

Azuaje was released from police custody after appearing in court Saturday.

The order issued by the Supreme Court on Sunday said Azuaje was freed on the condition he return to court every 15 days while awaiting trial. He is also banned from leaving the country and must undergo an evaluation conducted by court authorities who specialize in cases involving violence against women.

Azuaje, a former member of the president’s ruling party, has called Chavez a “coward” and accused him of using the judicial and legislative branches of government to go after opponents.