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Venezuela legislators demand investigation into opposition deputy Venezuela legislators demand investigation into opposition deputy
(35 minutes later)
Venezuela's congress has requested a criminal investigation be launched into opposition deputy Maria Corina Machado for crimes including treason in relation to her involvement in anti-government protests that have left at least 28 dead.Venezuela's congress has requested a criminal investigation be launched into opposition deputy Maria Corina Machado for crimes including treason in relation to her involvement in anti-government protests that have left at least 28 dead.
Machado, a 46-year-old engineer, has been one of the most visible leaders of six weeks of opposition demonstrations against socialist president Nicolas Maduro , the country's most serious unrest in a decade.Machado, a 46-year-old engineer, has been one of the most visible leaders of six weeks of opposition demonstrations against socialist president Nicolas Maduro , the country's most serious unrest in a decade.
Ruling Socialist party legislators, who hold a majority of congressional seats, voted to ask the state prosecutor to investigate Machado for offences that range from damaging buildings to inciting civil war.Ruling Socialist party legislators, who hold a majority of congressional seats, voted to ask the state prosecutor to investigate Machado for offences that range from damaging buildings to inciting civil war.
"We will not permit impunity. We will ensure revenge for those deaths. We will ensure these deaths will be paid for," said legislator Tania Diaz of the Socialist party. "Anyone who violates the right to life is violating the constitution.""We will not permit impunity. We will ensure revenge for those deaths. We will ensure these deaths will be paid for," said legislator Tania Diaz of the Socialist party. "Anyone who violates the right to life is violating the constitution."
The move comes a month after the arrest of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who along with Machado launched a national opposition movement at the start of the year under the banner "The Exit" aiming at ending 15 years of socialist rule. The move comes a month after the arrest of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who along with Machado launched a national opposition movement at the start of the year under the banner The Exit aiming at ending 15 years of socialist rule.
Tuesday's theatrical session included the showing of a video chronicling Machado's anti-government activism over the past decade that highlighted her links to the US, the Venezuelan government's ideological adversary.Tuesday's theatrical session included the showing of a video chronicling Machado's anti-government activism over the past decade that highlighted her links to the US, the Venezuelan government's ideological adversary.
A stony-faced Machado shook her head as legislators detailed the accusations, with some legislators chanting "justice, justice". A Machado aide said she would hold a press conference later in the evening.A stony-faced Machado shook her head as legislators detailed the accusations, with some legislators chanting "justice, justice". A Machado aide said she would hold a press conference later in the evening.
Machado cannot be tried without approval from both the state prosecutor and the supreme court, and another assembly vote as to whether she should be stripped of her parliamentary immunity, according to a constitutional lawyer consulted by Reuters.Machado cannot be tried without approval from both the state prosecutor and the supreme court, and another assembly vote as to whether she should be stripped of her parliamentary immunity, according to a constitutional lawyer consulted by Reuters.
Decisions by the courts and the state prosecutors' office have frequently been in line with the Socialist party, meaning the process could take place quickly.Decisions by the courts and the state prosecutors' office have frequently been in line with the Socialist party, meaning the process could take place quickly.
Machado helped turned sporadic student demonstrations in the western Andes region that began in January into a nationwide protest movement that has included both peaceful marches and violent melées between hooded youths and anti-riot troops. Machado helped to turn sporadic student demonstrations in the western Andes region that began in January into a nationwide protest movement that has included both peaceful marches and violent melées between hooded youths and anti-riot troops.
She has urged demonstrators to stay on the streets to protest against inflation of 57%, chronic shortages and one of the world's highest rates of violent crime.She has urged demonstrators to stay on the streets to protest against inflation of 57%, chronic shortages and one of the world's highest rates of violent crime.
Machado, elected to congress in 2010, is frequently pilloried by Chávez supporters as an out-of-touch elitist whose wealthy background makes her incapable of relating to the country's poor. Machado, elected to congress in 2010, is frequently pilloried by supporters of the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez as an elitist whose wealthy background makes her incapable of relating to the country's poor.
She rose to prominence in 2003 through an organisation that helped the opposition gather signatures for what would ultimately be a failed recall referendum in 2004 against the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez. She rose to prominence in 2003 through an organisation that helped the opposition to gather signatures for what would ultimately be a failed recall referendum in 2004 against Hugo Chávez.
That group received financing from the US, in what Chávez call Washington's meddling in the country's affairs. That group received financing from the US, in what Chávez called Washington's meddling in the country's affairs.
She won less than 5% of the vote in the 2012 opposition primaries to choose a candidate who would face down Chávez in that year's election. Chávez died of cancer a year ago.She won less than 5% of the vote in the 2012 opposition primaries to choose a candidate who would face down Chávez in that year's election. Chávez died of cancer a year ago.