Venezuela’s Chavez says owner of anti-government TV channel must be extradited

Chavez: Owner of opposition TV must face justice

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela must pursue the extradition from the United States of the fugitive owner of a television channel strongly critical his government so that he is forced to face criminal charges at home.

Chavez rejected allegations by Globovision owner Guillermo Zuloaga and other opponents who say the president orchestrated the prosecution of the outspoken television executive as payback for the TV channel’s stinging criticism of his government.

“We’ll have to request extradition,” Chavez said during a televised speech.

Zuloaga’s lawyer, Jenny Tambasco, announced this week that her client will not return to Venezuela to face criminal charges that he considers politically motivated.

Tambasco spoke after Zuloaga asked the Washington-based Organization of American States for help, saying he wants its human rights commission to determine if he truly committed a crime in Venezuela.

Chavez denied that he’s behind the charges against Zuloaga.

“I’ll never persecute anybody,” he said.

Zuloaga disappeared last month after a court issued an arrest warrant for him and one of his sons. The TV owner has not requested political asylum in the United States. Prosecutors requested his capture and extradition last month, but Venezuela’s Supreme Court has not yet approved the extradition request.

Representatives of the Attorney General’s Office did not immediately answer telephone calls seeking comment on Thursday.

Prosecutors want Zuloaga jailed while he awaits trial on charges of usury and conspiracy for keeping 24 new vehicles stored at a home he owns. Investigators allege that Zuloaga, who owns several car dealerships, was waiting for market prices for the vehicles to rise, which is punishable under Venezuelan law.

Allies of Chavez have been angered by Zuloaga’s refusal to return and disputed his claims the country’s justice system leans in the government’s favor.

Globovision has been the only anti-Chavez channel on air since another channel, RCTV, was forced off cable and satellite in January. RCTV was previously booted from the open airwaves after the government refused to renew its broadcast license in 2007.