VENEZUELAN PRISONER NEWS

UNCLAS CARACAS 002580 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON HQ USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD USAID DCHA/OTI FOR RPORTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KJUS PGOV VE SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN PRISONER NEWS ¶1. (U) Judge Carmen Amelia Chacin found Gen. Carlos Alfonzo Martinez guilty of violating security zones and sentenced him to five years probation August 9. The judge also prohibited Alfonzo Martinez from making statements to the media as one of the conditions of his probation. Judge Chacin found Gen. Alfonzo Martinez innocent of encouraging rebellion, and abandoning one's command. The defense and prosecution intend to appeal the case. ¶2. (U) Separately, Judge Juan Ramon Leon Villanueva, of the 8th Control Court, ruled on August 6 that Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles could vote in his traditional voting center in Las Mercedes district of Baruta during the presidential recall referendum on August 15. The judge in the case being tried in Tachira state against nine opposition leaders for events that took place on April 12, 2002, also ruled that the nine defendants could vote on August 15. Seven defendants will vote in the prison, while two who are hospitalized will vote in their traditional voting centers. Shapiro NNNN 2004CARACA02580 - UNCLASSIFIED