"we practically no longer have independent judges." (Venezuela)

[Bacchus39]

Venezuela court moves trial of Chavez opponent
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Delicious Digg Facebook Fark Newsvine Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer Ian James, Associated Press Writer – 2 mins agoCARACAS, Venezuela – The trial of a top opposition leader will be held in Caracas instead of his home city, Venezuela's Supreme Court announced — a move the official says is aimed at stacking the odds against him.

The court said Monday that it agreed to a prosecutor's request to move the trial from Maracaibo to the capital to ensure "the security of all the parties involved" and because it is a serious case that has caused a "public scandal."

Manuel Rosales, who was President Hugo Chavez's top opponent in the 2006 presidential election, faces a charge of illegal enrichment. He maintains he is innocent and accuses prosecutors of attempting a "political lynching ordered by Chavez."

Chavez called for Rosales' imprisonment last year, though he denies influencing the legal process.

Rosales, who is the mayor of Maracaibo, the country's second largest city, said Monday that moving the trial is a "political plan" that violates his rights. He has also said he suspects it's an effort to "search for a judge who's obedient."

Four judges in the western state of Zulia, meanwhile, have been suspended from their duties by the Supreme Court after allegedly meeting with Rosales, pro-Chavez lawmaker Calixto Ortega told state television Tuesday. He said any such contacts must be fully investigated, alleging that one of those judges could have been in a position to influence the case.

Prosecutors say Rosales failed to show the legal source of about $68,000 in income several years ago while he was Zulia state governor. Rosales says he reported the money and that it came from his involvement in the agriculture business.

It is unclear how soon a trial could begin.

A prosecutor has called for Rosales' arrest, but the courts have yet to rule on that request.

Supreme Court Justice Blanca Rosa Marmol told the Venezuelan broadcaster Union Radio she voted against suspending the four judges in Zulia because she thought it was aimed at scaring judges.

With some exceptions, she said, "we practically no longer have independent judges."

[Idealism]

1. Karma is a bitch, or so I hear...

Eat shit Rosales.

[Dave From Canada]

2. No, karma isn't a bitch, but totalitarianism under a dictatorship sure is! n/t

[Idealism]

3. You are talking about the US, right?

[Dave From Canada]

4. No, I'm not talking about the US, only insane crazy people would think I'm talking about the US.

Obama is anything but a dictator, and the American form of government is anything but totalitarian. Despite what delusional thinking goes on in people's heads. Go live in North Korea and you may have second thoughts about where you live. However, Chavez is moving fast in that direction.

[Idealism]

5. Chavez is moving in the direction of a cult of personality like North Korea?