TSJ upholds Appeal Court decision favoring rebel PDVSA leaders

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ)  Constitutional Chamber has upheld an Appeal Court decision to life an arrest warrant against 7 former Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) executives & managers but it also rules that the Attorney General's Office could continue on the case, provided it stuck to the law. 

The Appeal Court threw out the arrest warrants because it reached the conclusion that the Attorney General's Office did not charge the men ... there was an evident subversion of the legal order originating from the Attorney General's Office." 

TSJ president, Ivan Rincon says the Attorney General violated due process and has to start all over again, adding that the Appeal Court does not have the faculty to apply the wordy control of the Constitution.  

• However, the case can begin again only if the Attorney General considers there are sufficient elements to charge the seven. 

Former PDVSA leader Juan Fernandez says he's pleased with the result and will abide by the law.