(IPYS-Venezuela/IFEX) - On 30 November 2010, the State of Carabobo's Court of Appeals (in north-central Venezuela) annulled the ruling that sentenced journalist Francisco "Pancho" Pérez to 3 years and 9 months in prison, disqualified him professionally and politically for the same period of time, and ordered him to pay 1,250 Tax Units (approx. US$18,900).

Pérez began practicing journalism again for the newspaper "El Carabobeño" on 6 December 2010. The Court of Appeals' Ruling is irrevocable.

The sentence that has now been annulled was issued on 11 June 2010 after Edgardo Parra, the mayor of the city of Valencia, accused the journalist of defamation and libel against a public official.