The principle of judicial procedure and court protection for individual rights is embedded in the Bolivarian-inspired 1999 constitution.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

As to the charges, we are at the beginning of the criminal process, and there is a judicial procedure in place that will be followed.

NPR: Justice Department Indicts Alaska Sen. Stevens

There is an extra-judicial dispute-settlement procedure.

ECONOMIST: Wall Street

Lebanese judicial sources say Judge Shihab's request constitutes a routine procedure in any lawsuit rather than a formal indictment.

BBC: News | Middle East | Singer denounces blasphemy charge