Penalties Stiff for Slander in Venezuela

[bemildred]

The spin on this is interesting.

CARACAS, Venezuela - A new penal code approved by Venezuela's Congress would stiffen prison sentences for slander and libel, drawing criticism from opponents of President Hugo Chavez.

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Under the old penal code, the maximum sentence for libel was 18 months in prison. The new code, passed by Congress late Thursday, increased the maximum to four years in prison.

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The new code also takes aim at a popular form of protest involving banging on pots and pans — called a "cacerolazo" in Venezuela and often used by Chavez opponents in the presence of government officials.

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The code targets those who "with shouts or yells, with the use of bells or other instruments, or ... loud acts" disturb "public meetings, citizens' work or rest."

Yahoo/AP

[Gyre]

1. Goddamn!

Hugo's doing EVERYTHING RIGHT to stablize the democracy in that country. Smart dude!

Gyre