Opposition leader in court over corruption charges
Friday 01 March 2013
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EmailVenezuelan prosecutors brought influence-peddling charges against leading right-wing politician Leopoldo Lopez on Thursday.
Prosecutors say that Mr Lopez accepted donations from Venezuela's state-run oil company in 1998.
The donations were allegedly authorised by the anti-Chavez campaigner's mother Antonietta Mendoza de Lopez, when she was working for Petroleos de Venezuela.
Prosecutors claim that Mr Lopez used the donations to form the First Justice political party.
His mother is also expected to be arraigned on criminal charges.
If they go to trial and are convicted they could face two to four years in prison.
Mr Lopez claims that the charges are without foundation and are politically motivated.
He arrived at the Prosecutor's Office along with dozens of supporters chanting, "We have no fear."
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