(CNN) Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega announced charges Thursday against the former head of the country's national guard, accusing him of systematic human rights violations during sometimes deadly anti-government protests.
The announcement came amid fresh clashes between police and protesters on the rain-soaked streets of Caracas.
A day earlier, Venezuela's Supreme Court banned Ortega from leaving the country and ordered her assets frozen ahead of a pretrial hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
An ally of embattled President Nicolas Maduro's requested the inquiry to determine if Ortega committed unspecified "grave errors while in her position" and if there is enough evidence for charges to be filed against her.
Ortega, a vocal critic of Maduro's government, could face a trial.
Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega has spoken out against President Nicolas Maduro's regime.
In a statement Thursday, Ortega's office said Antonio Benavides Torres, former commander of the national guard, has been charged in connection with "serious and systematic human rights violations" during the ongoing protests.
In 2015, the White House sanctioned Benavides Torres over human rights abuses. Human Rights Watch has accused him and other high-level officials of failing to take steps to prevent or punish human rights violations.
Benavides Torres was removed from his national guard post last week and named head of government of the capital district.
The attorney general's statement referred to alleged abuses by authorities during more than 80 days of demonstrations. "In a great number of these incidents, there is evidence of excessive use of force in repressing protests," it said.
The political turmoil gripping the country took a surreal turn Tuesday night with an audacious attack by a police helicopter on the Supreme Court.
The chopper was found Wednesday in a rural part of the country, but authorities said the aircraft's pilot remains on the run.
'State terrorism'
Ortega has recently accused Maduro's government of committing "state terrorism" by stripping citizens of their right to protest, trying them in military courts and carrying out raids without consulting courts. "We continue to witness the rupture of the constitutional order. The constitution keeps on being violated, and the government institutions are being dismantled," she said.
Pedro Carreño, the lawmaker who requested the pretrial hearing for Ortega, has told reporters he believes the attorney general is not in her right mind and will convene a medical board to assess her recent behavior.
"It is clear that this lady is not normal," Carreño said.
Crisis in Venezuela
A costumed demonstrator in Caracas, Venezuela, protests the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday, August 6. Unrest continued to sweep through the country after a
new legislative assembly was inaugurated following a controversial election on July 30. The new assembly has wide-ranging powers and is expected to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution at Maduro's behest. Opposition supporters, who see the vote as a power grab and an erosion of democracy, boycotted and staged demonstrations against the vote.
Anti-government activists stand near a flaming barricade in Valencia on August 6.
A man is arrested in Valencia during clashes between anti-government activists and the National Guard on August 6.
Members of the Venezuelan armed forces fly over Valencia in a helicopter while citizens demonstrate in support of a group that staged a paramilitary uprising at the Paramacay military base on August 6.
Diosdado Cabello, a member of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, holds an image of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez as delegates gather for a group photo following their swearing-in ceremony on Friday, August 4.
Opposition activists protest against the newly inaugurated National Constituent Assembly on August 4.
Opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens addresses a rally in Caracas on July 31. Two other leading opposition figures, Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma,
were rounded up from their homes, according to their families.
Maduro celebrates the results of a national vote on Sunday, July 30. His opponents boycotted the election and demonstrated against it for weeks, saying he orchestrated it to get around the existing National Assembly, which the opposition has controlled since 2015. Maduro has argued that the Constituent Assembly will help bring peace to a polarized country, with all branches of the government falling under the political movement founded by his late mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Members of Venezuela's national police are caught in an explosion as they ride motorcycles near Altamira Square in Caracas on July 30. Venezuela
has seen widespread unrest since March 29, when the Supreme Court dissolved Parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The decision was later reversed, but protests have continued across the country, which is also in the midst of an economic crisis.
A wounded anti-government demonstrator is helped by medics during clashes with police in Caracas on July 30.
A demonstrator shouts slogans through a traffic cone during an anti-government protest in Caracas on July 30.
A protester wounded by a pellet gun receives attention July 30 during a demonstration against the vote for a Constituent Assembly.
A member of the National Guard fires at protesters during clashes in Caracas on Friday, July 28.
A demonstrator dressed as Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar is silhouetted against a national flag in Caracas on Monday, July 24.
Venezuelan lawmakers Luis Stefanelli, left, and Jose Regnault appear stunned in a corridor of the National Assembly after
a clash with demonstrators in Caracas on Wednesday, July 5. Supporters of Maduro stormed the building and attacked opposition lawmakers, witnesses said. At least seven legislative employees and five lawmakers were injured, according to National Assembly President Julio Borges. Journalists said they were also assaulted.
National Guard members clash with deputies of the National Assembly in the Parliament's courtyard in Caracas on Tuesday, June 27.
A boy runs under a national flag during a June 27 protest in Caracas.
Protester David Jose Vallenilla is shot through a fence by a member of the National Guard near a military base in Caracas on Thursday, June 22. Vallenilla later died in the hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds to the chest.
Maduro holds up a copy of the Venezuelan constitution during a news conference at the presidential palace in Caracas on June 22. Maduro has called for changes to the constitution amid the unrest.
A protester hides behind a barrier in Caracas on June 22.
An opposition activist displays bullet shells during an anti-government demonstration on Monday, June 19.
People flee during a clash between opposition demonstrators and riot police in Caracas on June 19.
Opposition activists aim projectiles toward riot police during a demonstration on June 19.
Demonstrators stand in front of a police vehicle on June 19.
A street in eastern Caracas is painted with the names of people killed during more than two months of protests.
During a
"Grandparents' March" in Caracas, a man is blocked by police from reaching the Government Ombudsman's Office on Friday, May 12.
Opposition activists scuffle with riot police in Caracas on May 12.
Thousands of Venezuelan protesters march on a Caracas highway on Wednesday, May 10.
Opposition activists clash with riot police in Caracas on Monday, May 8.
An armored National Guard vehicle
runs over a protester in Caracas on Wednesday, May 3. The protester, 22-year-old Pedro Michell Yaminne, survived, his mother told CNN. Interior and justice minister Nestor Reverol told reporters that the "lamentable" incident was under investigation. He said that moments before Yaminne was run over, demonstrators hurled a Molotov cocktail at the armored vehicle, opened the side door and "brutally assaulted" the driver.
A demonstrator catches fire during protests in Caracas on May 3. It happened as protesters clashed with police and the gas tank of a police motorcycle exploded. Other photos from the scene showed the man being attended for burns to his body.
A demonstrator stands in front of an armored vehicle during protests in Caracas on Wednesday, April 19.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles reacts to tear gas during a protest on April 19.
Riot police clash with demonstrators while tear gas fills the air in Caracas on April 19.
Rescue workers tend to a demonstrator hit by a tear gas canister during anti-government protests on April 19.
A demonstrator reacts during a march in Caracas on Saturday, April 15.
A protester suffering from the effects of tear gas is carried away on Thursday, April 13.
Clouds of tear gas spread across a highway in Caracas during clashes on Monday, April 10.
Demonstrators help a journalist whose leg was injured while covering clashes in Caracas on April 10.
Thousands of demonstrators protest against Maduro in Caracas on Saturday, April 8.
Venezuelan police line up before clashing with opposition activists on Thursday, April 6.
Demonstrators fight with national police officers in Caracas on Tuesday, April 4.
The United Nations on Friday called the high court decision to freeze Ortega's assets and ban her from leaving the country "deeply worrying."
It is also concerned that the court's constitutional chamber found her appointment of a deputy attorney general "to be null and avoid."
"Since March, the attorney general has taken important steps to defend human rights, documenting deaths during the wave of demonstrations, insisting on the need for due process and the importance of the separation of powers, and calling for people who have been arbitrarily detained to be immediately released," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for human rights.
"We are concerned that the Supreme Court's decisions appear to seek to strip her office of its mandate and responsibilities as enshrined in the Venezuelan Constitution, and undermine the office's independence."
Helicopter attack
The helicopter involved in the Supreme Court attack was allegedly piloted by Oscar Perez, an officer in the country's investigative police force.
Before the attack began, a man who identified himself as Perez appeared in a video online saying an operation was underway to seize democracy back from Venezuela's "criminal government."
Flanked by armed men in military fatigues and balaclavas, the man claimed to be speaking on behalf of a coalition of military, police officers and civil officials.
The pilot of the attack helicopter identified himself as Oscar Perez in a video message posted online.
As the helicopter strafed the court building and the Interior Ministry, attackers fired gunshots and lobbed grenades, officials said. It was unclear how a rogue police helicopter could have circled high-profile buildings in the capital without being shot down. Witnesses and local journalists said the assault went on for about two hours.
No one was injured, but the assault was a dramatic escalation of the months-long crisis engulfing the regime of Maduro, who called the attack an attempted coup.
Venezuela: How paradise got lost
None of those involved in the attack appear to have been tracked down. Venezuela has asked Interpol to issue a red notice for Perez, according to Néstor Luis Reverol, the county's minister of interior, justice and peace. A red notice alerts authorities in other countries, including border officials, that someone is wanted.
The helicopter was later found in the seaside state of Vargas, state-run news agency Agencia Venezolana de Noticias reported. Photos published on the verified Twitter feed for Vice President Tareck El Aissami show the helicopter in a clearing.
Months of chaos
Venezuela is in the throes of a political and humanitarian crisis that has brought thousands onto the streets in protests demanding a change of government.
On Thursday, protesters and authorities again clashed during a march to the nation's electoral headquarters, with police firing tear gas and making dozens of arrests, according to posts on social media.
Soaring inflation and widespread shortages of medicine, food and other essentials have infuriated many Venezuelans, who are struggling to afford basic necessities.
Oil revenue fueled Venezuela's economy under the late President Hugo Chavez, who was Maduro's mentor, but falling oil prices have made state subsidies unsustainable.
Anti-government protesters want Maduro to step down, accusing him of eroding democracy. Maduro has sent the Venezuelan military onto the streets to maintain order, leading to deadly clashes. According to the attorney general's office, at least 80 civilians have died in the unrest, including the point-blank shooting of a 22-year-old protester by a soldier.
Two deaths Wednesday are also being investigated.
The government intimidates and restricts the media in Venezuela, taking CNN en Español off the air. It tightly controls visas for foreign journalists including CNN, arresting those who report from inside the country without proper permits.
CNN's Osmany Hernandez, Julia Jones, Natalie Gallón, Claudia Dominguez, Laura Smith-Spark, Steve Almasy, Lonzo Cook, Joshua Berlinger and Joe Sterling contributed to this report.