By Ian James, Associated Press Writer
CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez granted amnesty Monday to many opponents accused of supporting a failed 2002 coup that briefly drove him from power. Chavez said he signed an amnesty decree that would also pardon others accused of attempting to overthrow his government in recent years.
Chavez read aloud the new law, which grants amnesty to those who drafted or signed a decree recognizing an interim government that briefly replaced him during the 2002 coup. Chavez was ousted by dissident military officers, but was returned to the presidency by loyalist generals within two days amid street protests by his supporters.
More than 60 people will be covered by the amnesty, some of whom are imprisoned, Chavez said. They include opponents accused of taking over Venezuela's state television channel during the coup, and others who sought to sabotage the oil industry during an opposition-led strike that followed, he said. It was not immediately clear when they could go free.
Opponents accuse the socialist president -- a close friend of Cuban leader Fidel Castro -- of seeking to quash dissent and concentrate power in his own hands.
Chavez called his decree proof that "we want there to be a strong ideological and political debate -- but in peace." Such an amnesty has been demanded by some government opponents.
Chavez reiterated that no one in Venezuela is jailed "for his political ideas."
The amnesty will not apply to fugitives who have fled charges in Venezuela, and will not cover "crimes of the homicide sort, or proven assassination attempts," he said.
Prosecutors in 2002 and 2003 initiated legal proceedings against a long list of people who allegedly supported the failed coup. Three police chiefs were jailed, along with a handful of officers and others. An unknown number of suspects fled the country or went into hiding.
The amnesty is expected to nullify charges recently brought against opposition politician Enrique Mendoza for taking over the state TV channel's studios during the coup. It also covers all those accused of civil rebellion in other cases through December 2007, Chavez said.
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