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Venezuela mayor misses court date Venezuela mayor misses court date
(about 12 hours later)
One of Venezuela's main opposition leaders has failed to appear in court on the first day of his trial on corruption charges.One of Venezuela's main opposition leaders has failed to appear in court on the first day of his trial on corruption charges.
Manuel Rosales, who ran against President Hugo Chavez in the last presidential election in 2006, is reportedly seeking asylum abroad.Manuel Rosales, who ran against President Hugo Chavez in the last presidential election in 2006, is reportedly seeking asylum abroad.
He says the charges are politically motivated and has been in hiding since they were lodged last month.He says the charges are politically motivated and has been in hiding since they were lodged last month.
His party has accused the authorities of using the case for political means.His party has accused the authorities of using the case for political means.
Mr Rosales, who is mayor of Venezuela's second biggest city, Maracaibo, is facing multi-million dollar corruption charges relating to his time as the governor of Zulia state.Mr Rosales, who is mayor of Venezuela's second biggest city, Maracaibo, is facing multi-million dollar corruption charges relating to his time as the governor of Zulia state.
"He won't present himself before a court that's been turned into a political tool," said Omar Barboza, the president of Mr Rosales' party."He won't present himself before a court that's been turned into a political tool," said Omar Barboza, the president of Mr Rosales' party.
"When there's a state of law in Venezuela, Manuel Rosales will then go before the courts, but until then he will be judged by the Venezuelan people.""When there's a state of law in Venezuela, Manuel Rosales will then go before the courts, but until then he will be judged by the Venezuelan people."
Mr Barboza added that the party had begun the process of requesting political asylum for Mr Rosales in an unspecified "friendly country".Mr Barboza added that the party had begun the process of requesting political asylum for Mr Rosales in an unspecified "friendly country".
But the Venezuelan government said the disappearance of Mr Rosales was cowardly.But the Venezuelan government said the disappearance of Mr Rosales was cowardly.
It said he was currently in Panama or Colombia.It said he was currently in Panama or Colombia.