Another opposition candidate barred from running in Venezuela legislative elections
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Another opponent of President Hugo Chavez has been barred from running in congressional elections by Venezuela's top anti-corruption official.
Gustavo Azocar, a journalist-turned-politician who had planned to run in September, is the latest in a series of candidates kept out of the race by Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russian, an ally of Chavez.
Azocar called his exclusion Saturday illegal.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Azocar was recently sentenced to more than two years in prison for alleged fraud involving his publicity company and a state-run lottery. He denies any wrongdoing and has appealed.
Azocar learned he was barred shortly before the Saturday night deadline for candidates to register for the National Assembly elections.