Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Yaracuy State Governor Carlos Gimenez was a no-show ... Supreme Justice Tribunal (TSJ) goes ahead with hearing

Caracas Daily Journal (Jeremy Morgan): Yaracuy State Governor Carlos Gimenez was due to appear before the Supreme Justice Tribunal (TSJ) on Tuesday but neither he nor his defense team turned up. The judges sitting in the full chamber decided to go ahead anyway.

Gimenez faces "pre-trial" proceedings on whether he has a case to answer after allegations linking him and seven officials in his government to corruption in his administration. The hearing was originally set to start earlier this month but had been delayed.

The TSJ ruled that the absence of Gimenez and his lawyers would not impede the proceedings this time. That meant his case would be considered, in this instance at least, without him there.

Before the hearing, his lawyers told the TSJ in writing of the "technical impossibility" of attending because there hadn't been enough time to prepare a defense. Evidently, this didn't wash with the judges, who appointed attorney Carolina Segura as Gimenez' defense. Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz launched the prosecution's case.

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