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Hugo Chavez has often been accused of trying to gag the media

The Supreme Court in Venezuela has ordered the seizure of $5.7m (3.6m) in assets belonging to a news channel opposed to president Hugo Chavez.

Globovision accused the government of trying to intimidate it ahead of the beginning of electoral campaign for the October presidential election.

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles said the government was attempting to silence independent media.

Globovision is the only anti-Chavez channel still on air in Venezuela.

It had been challenging a $2.1m (1.3m) fine imposed by regulators over the coverage of disturbances at the El Rodeo prison, outside Caracas in June 2011, in which more than 20 people were killed.

Media regulator Conatel said the coverage "promoted hatred and intolerance for political reasons".

Globovision, which said it could not afford to pay the original fine, now faces a much bigger loss.

"This decision doesn't surprise us because we are about to begin an election campaign in which the government tends to take judicial actions to intimidate the independent private media," said channel vice-president Maria Fernanda Flores.

Coup attempt

The election campaign begins on Sunday, with President Hugo Chavez seeking a third term in the 7 October vote.

Mr Chavez has accused Globovision of supporting a 2002 coup attempt, and of plotting to assassinate him.

Venezuela's opposition has frequently accused Mr Chavez's government of trying to gag the media.

Several other private radio and television stations have been forced off air for failing to comply with regulations requiring them to broadcast government information.

The government has frequently accused private media companies of using their power to try to undermine the democratic authorities.

State-owned media has expanded dramatically since Mr Chavez took office in 1999.