Charges over Caracas airship deal

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Former Mayor of Caracas Juan Barreto has been charged with corruption over a scheme to fly airships equipped with cameras over the city to fight crime.

The plan, dismissed by many at the time as impractical, was never put into practice and Mr Barreto is facing charges over payment for the airships.

Mr Barreto was mayor of the Venezuelan capital between 2004 and 2008 and is an ally of President Hugo Chavez.

He said the airships would cut crime in Caracas by up to 40%.

The idea was among his more eye-catching schemes.

In 2007 the city bought three 15m-long (49ft) airships to fly over the city giving authorities live video footage to help clamp down on crime.

However, apart from some high profile tests and demonstrations for the world's press, the airships were never put into action.

Charges denied

Now Mr Barreto is facing corruption charges over the purchase of the airships - charges he strenuously denies.

He puts the failure of the scheme down to a Korean company for providing what he said was "old" technology.

Mr Barreto is the latest high-profile figure to face corruption charges in Venezuela, after cases were brought against former defence minister Raul Baduel and opposition leader Manuel Rosales, who was recently granted political asylum in Peru.

The former mayor has reiterated that he has no intention of leaving the country.

"We will stay here to defend ourselves," he told his supporters on the steps of the state prosecutor's office.