MVR deputy questions Fernandez house arrest decision

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Senior Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) deputy Cilia Flores is questioning the decision of 49th control judge Gisela Hernandez to place Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez under house arrest, insisting the move is illegal.

However, Flores says he respects and at least partially accepts the court's decision as it charged Fernandez with treason, which if he is found guilty implies prison term of 12-24 years.

The court decided to have Fernandez placed under house arrest due to high blood pressure problems, however, according to Flores over 70% of Venezuelans suffer from hypertension, "therefore imagine how many criminals would be put under house arrest" if similar measures were applied.

Flores also called for several other opposition leaders to be arrested, including Leopoldo Lopez, Alfredo Pena Enrique Mendoza and Enrique Capriles, accusing them of continuing to conspire.