Venezuelan journalist under house arrest for defaming army officer

A Venezuelan judge on Wednesday sentenced a journalist critical of President Hugo Chavez to house arrest for defaming an army officer in a case her supporters denounced as political persecution, Reuters has reported.

FIREBRAND COLUMNIST: Venezuelan columnist Ibeyise Pacheco speaks to supporters in front of a banner reading 'Freedom of Expression' before turning herself in, in response to a warrant for her arrest, in Caracas, March 15. Pacheco, who opposes President Hugo Chavez was sentenced to nine months house arrest in a libel case stemming from statements she made about an army officer. (AP Photo/Leslie Mazoch)

Ibéyise Pacheco, a columnist for the El Nacional daily newspaper, was previously given a suspended nine-month jail term, but that was overturned this week and Pacheco surrendered to authorities on Wednesday. "I'm here to hand myself in, to protest this arbitrary process, this persecution, and to show that we have no fear," Pacheco said before the ruling, accompanied by flag-waving supporters.

"I am here to face this injustice, this arbitrariness, this persecution. I am here to show that not only reporters are not afraid, but also we are not going to shut up. Even from jail we challenge you! We are ready to face anything to defend democracy!" Pacheco told reporters upon her arrival in the courthouse, according to El Universal. "Anything that may happen to me is a responsibility of the government," she warned.

Pacheco's lawyer Claudia Mujica said they made the decision to appear in court because "we do respect the rule of law. We do meet requirements of jurisdictional bodies or the Attorney General's Office, and we have a goal to show that we do not fear justice, because no crime has been committed." Mujica said the court had given Pacheco house arrest with restrictions on her work and visits. Earlier in the week, a judge ordered her arrested after revoking the suspension of her original sentence.

The officer, Colonel Angel Bellorin, sued Pacheco for aggravated slander after she accused him in a column of falsifying exams for an officer's promotion. Another journalist, Marianella Salazar, is under investigation on similar charges based on her reporting on Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel.

ADDING COLOUR: Venezuelan soldiers with faces painted in the colours of the country's flag take part in a parade in Caracas March 12. President Hugo Chavez attended the parade to celebrate the new country's flag with eight stars after Congress has approved reforms to the national flag and shield. Chavez urged Congress to add an eighth star to the tricolour flag and change a horse on the national shield so it faced straight ahead galloping to the left instead to right. (Reuters/Francesco Spotorno)

Venezuelan authorities dismissed charges from the opposition that Chavez has politicised independent institutions such as the courts and say the proceedings against Pacheco and several other reporters are normal civil investigations.

Chavez has maintained a turbulent relationship with local private newspapers and television stations, most of which are hostile to his leftist government. He often accuses media owners of plotting to oust him.

Venezuelan Information Minister Willian Lara this week rejected accusations the government was carrying out a witchhunt to muzzle Chavez foes with investigations against Pacheco and two fellow reporters, Marianella Salazar and Gustavo Azocar.

Washington and press watchdogs charge that Chavez has stifled freedom of expression with a media law that the government says aims to ensure more responsible broadcasting. Critics say its ban on transmission of events that threaten national security is open to misuse and fosters self-censorship.