Caracas: Venezuela's National Assembly has opened an investigation into a congressman's accusations that two of President Hugo Chavez's brothers acquired 17 ranches in recent years -- if true a potential stain on the image of Chavez's socialist movement.

Lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje detailed his allegations in a closed-door committee session yesterday, presenting documents that he says show how an assortment of ranch lands were obtained by Chavez's brothers Argenis and Narciso.

Azuaje said afterward that he asked the congressional audit commission to visit the haciendas for an inspection and to summon those who sold the properties for questioning.

Azuaje, of the president's socialist party, said the ranches are all located in Chavez's home state of Barinas, where the president's father is governor.

Asked if the accusations are linked to his own campaign for governor in Barinas, Azuaje said Chavez and his party "demand that we denounce... Acts of corruption (and) incapacity".

There was no immediate reaction from Chavez's younger brothers or the president, who was traveling in Brazil. The lawmaker told the Venezuelan television channel Globovision on Tuesday that he has documents indicating Chavez's brothers acquired 17 ranches through front men who carried out the transactions on their behalf.

Azuaje said he decided to call for the investigation because he feels the land acquisitions harm the image of Chavez's socialist movement. He said he also has asked prosecutors to open a separate investigation.
Source : PTI