Judge orders Venezuelan opposition official to remain in prison while awaiting trial

Judge orders Chavez opponent to stay in prison

CARACAS, Venezuela — A Venezuelan court has ordered an opponent of President Hugo Chavez to remain in prison while awaiting trial on charges of injuring a police officer during a protest.

Caracas city administrator Richard Blanco also leads an opposition party. He was arrested in August and is accused of injuring a police officer who had infiltrated the protest.

Lawyer Negar Granados told Globovision on Wednesday that a judge ordered his client to remain behind bars, saying he would be a flight risk.

Opposition leaders and relatives condemned the decision, calling Blanco one of two dozen “political prisoners.”

Chavez says Venezuela has no political prisoners and those in jail face legitimate charges.