Chavez critic jailed

CARACAS: A former Venezuelan Defence Minister and critic of President Hugo Chavez has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after being convicted of embezzlement and abuse of power.

Retired General Raul Isaias Baduel was sentenced to seven years, 11 months in prison and is barred from running for public office.

Baduel was tried on charges that 40 million bolivars - then worth US$18.6 million ($26.13 million) at the official exchange rate - went missing in 2006 and 2007 while he was Defence Minister.

Baduel has insisted he is innocent and dismissed the accusation as a politically motivated reprisal.