Venezuela President 'plot victim'

(First Edition)

Carlos Andres Perez of Venezuala, arguing he was the 'victim of a plot', maintained his innocence and was confident he would be absolved of corruption on the eve of a court decision yesterday on whether to try him for embezzlement and misuse of funds, Reuter reports from Caracas.

The Supreme Court was due to rule on whether there was enough evidence to try him, in what could be the first time in 35 years of democracy that a leader would be forced from office.