Anti-Chavez Venezuelan general is released

An army general protesting the "socialism or death" motto of President Hugo Chavez has been released from military detention, but still could be charged with a crime, his attorney said Wednesday.

Gen. Angel Vivas Perdomo was detained by military intelligence agents Tuesday while driving near his home in the capital.

He was released Tuesday night after being questioned for nearly nine hours, but was ordered not to leave the capital and to report to the military prosecutor's office twice a month, attorney Jose Zaa said.

The government did not say why the general was detained, but the action came after he said publicly that a Cuban-inspired troop salute ordered by Chavez is unconstitutional and violates the military's apolitical tradition.