Chopf#ck Chavez House-Arrests Journalist

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1730682

Anti-Chavez reporter sentenced to house arrest

Mar 15, 2006 — CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - A Venezuelan judge on Wednesday sentenced a journalist critical of President Hugo Chavez to house arrest for defaming an army officer in a case her supporters denounced as political persecution.

Ibeyise Pacheco, a columnist for El Nacional daily newspaper, was previously given a suspended nine-month jail term, but that was overturned this week and Pacheco surrendered to authorities on Wednesday.

"I'm here to hand myself in, to protest this arbitrary process, this persecution, and to show that we have no fear," Pacheco said before the ruling, accompanied by flag-waving supporters.

Attorney Claudia Mujica said the court had given Pacheco house arrest with restrictions on her work and visits. Earlier in the week a judge ordered her arrested after revoking the suspension of her original sentence.

An army coronel had sued Pacheco for aggravated slander after she accused him in a column of falsifying exams for an officer's promotion.

Venezuelan authorities dismissed charges from the opposition that Chavez has politicized independent institutions such as the courts and say the proceedings against Pacheco and several other reporters are normal civil investigations.

Chavez has maintained a turbulent relationship with local private newspapers and television stations, most of which are hostile to his leftist government. He often accuses media owners of plotting to oust him.

Venezuelan Information Minister Willian Lara this week rejected accusations the government was carrying out a witchhunt to muzzle Chavez foes with investigations against Pacheco and two fellow reporters, Marianella Salazar and Gustavo Azocar.

Washington and press watchdogs charge that Chavez has stifled freedom of expression with a media law that the government says aims to ensure more responsible broadcasting. Critics say its ban on transmission of events that threaten national security is open to misuse and fosters self-censorship.

Elected in 1998, Chavez promises a socialist revolution to end years of corruption and neglect of the poor. He has clashed frequently with Washington after strengthening ties with Cuba. Critics say he wants to install Cuban-style communism.

[almaty 19]

that chopf##K picked up a few tips from that other latin american chopf##k castro...man, when is he going to get ousted?

[Carola 0]

that chopf##K picked up a few tips from that other latin american chopf##k castro...man, when is he going to get ousted?

I don't think it is going to be anytime soon... I met that journalist and she is a fighter and a very good woman, Chavez is just afraid of women everybody in Venezuela knows that.