The Tribune

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan authorities on Tuesday extended house arrest for a judge whose case has been strongly criticized by human rights groups. Judge Ali Fabricio Paredes ruled that his colleague, Maria Lourdes Afiuni, must remain under house arrest for two more years, saying she has intentionally delayed her own trial by repeatedly refusing to enter a courtroom. Afiuni faces corruption charges that were filed after she released a banker, saying he didn't need to be in jail while he awaited trial on accusations of violating foreign exchange controls. In Venezuela, suspects are not released on bail. Instead, most suspects are whisked away to prison while they await trial. Attorney General Luisa Ortega announced last week that she would ask a judge to extend Afiuni's house arrest. Afiuni's relatives argued that the order keeping her under house arrest should be rescinded. Government opponents, joined by some human rights groups, say Afiuni's case shows President Hugo Chavez's influence over Venezuela's judicial system -- a claim that Chavez denies. One of Afiuni's lawyers, Jose Amalio Graterol, told Union Radio that the judge's legal representatives would appeal the ruling. "Today's decision constitutes another blow to the rule of law in our country," Graterol said.