Attorney representing Venezuela’s lone anti-Chavez TV channel faces criminal charges
By APTuesday, July 27, 2010
Lawyer from anti-Chavez TV faces prosecution
CARACAS, Venezuela — A lawyer who represents Venezuela’s lone television channel that remains critical of President Hugo Chavez has been charged with obstructing justice, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Perla Jaimes tried to prevent police from raiding a home belonging to Guillermo Zuloaga, the president and majority shareholder of the Globovision TV station, the Attorney General’s Office alleged in a statement.
Jaimes, who could face up to three years in prison if convicted. denied any wrongdoing.
“None of the arguments they are using correspond with reality,” she said.
The May 1 police raid led to criminal charges of usury against Zuloaga, who also owns several car dealerships. Zuloaga has called the charges bogus and contends prosecutors are acting on orders from Chavez to punish him for Globovision’s stinging criticism.
Human rights groups also have voiced concern that Chavez is using prosecutors to crack down on outspoken critics, including Zuloaga. He recently fled the country after a court issued an arrest warrant for him and one of his sons.
Chavez denies trying to silence the station for its tough editorial line.
