Jailed Venezuelan judge Afiuni hopes elections bring freedom

[naaman fletcher]

Maria Lourdes Afiuni's campaign headquarters is six paces long and two paces wide. Visiting hours are Wednesday and Sunday, but guests risk being strip searched.

Among the hundreds of candidates in next month's parliamentary elections in Venezuela, Afiuni is one of at least four running from behind bars.

The Sept. 26 vote is expected to give Venezuela's opposition a chance to claw back power from the supporters of President Hugo Chavez who have dominated the parliament since 2005. But some are using the vote to shine a spotlight on a judicial system they say has been used to harass and imprison dissenters.

Tallies vary, but human rights groups say there are 25 to 28 political prisoners in Venezuela.



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