This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/24/bribery-scandal-grips-guatemala-ex-vice-president-allegations

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bribery scandal grips Guatemala as former vice-president faces allegations Bribery scandal grips Guatemala as former vice-president faces allegations
(35 minutes later)
Prosecutors in Guatemala alleged Monday that former vice-president Roxana Baldetti accepted $3.7m in bribes as part of a customs corruption scandal that forced her from office and has shaken the government of President Otto Pérez Molina. Prosecutors in Guatemala alleged on Monday that former vice-president Roxana Baldetti accepted $3.7m in bribes as part of a customs corruption scandal that forced her from office and has shaken the government of President Otto Pérez Molina.
Baldetti’s appearance in court followed her arrest on Friday. Outside the courthouse, a crowd of dozens of people yelled “Corrupt! Thief!” during the heavily guarded hearing.Baldetti’s appearance in court followed her arrest on Friday. Outside the courthouse, a crowd of dozens of people yelled “Corrupt! Thief!” during the heavily guarded hearing.
Judge Miguel Angel Galvez noted the prosecutors’ statements weren’t formal accusations. “The only thing they are doing in legal terms is to state that there is a reasonable suspicion,” he said. Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez noted the prosecutors’ statements were not formal accusations. “The only thing they are doing in legal terms is to state that there is a reasonable suspicion,” he said.
Prosecutors said Baldetti, who resigned on 8 May, pocketed 50% of the bribes funneled to a chain of officials who helped businesses evade import duties. She has denied any wrongdoing.Prosecutors said Baldetti, who resigned on 8 May, pocketed 50% of the bribes funneled to a chain of officials who helped businesses evade import duties. She has denied any wrongdoing.
A criminal ring known as “La Linea”, or “The Line”, allegedly was led by Baldetti’s aide, Juan Carlos Monzón Rojas, who currently is a fugitive. Authorities presented a chart diagramming the structure’s alleged organization that showed Monzon as the mastermind. A criminal ring known as “La Linea”, or “The Line”, was allegedly led by Baldetti’s aide, Juan Carlos Monzón Rojas, who is currently a fugitive. Authorities presented a chart outlining the structure’s alleged organisation that showed Monzón as the mastermind.
Pérez Molina apologized to Guatemalans Sunday for the corruption scandal that has thrown the country into political crisis, but insisted he will not resign his post and that his conscious is clear. Pérez Molina apologized to Guatemalans on Sunday for the corruption scandal that has thrown the country into political crisis, but insisted he will not resign his post and that his conscious is clear.
In a combative, pre-recorded address that was televised to the nation, an animated Pérez said he had received no money from the customs racket to which investigators have linked him, and stressed that his conscience “was clear”. In a combative, prerecorded address that was televised to the nation, an animated Pérez said he had received no money from the customs racket to which investigators have linked him, and stressed that his conscience was clear.
Related: Drug trafficking and corruption bankroll Guatemalan politics, says reportRelated: Drug trafficking and corruption bankroll Guatemalan politics, says report
Guatemala’s attorney general and a UN-backed anti-corruption body known as the CICIG sought to impeach Pérez on Friday after months of investigation into the racket known as La Linea, or “the line”, after a phone hotline used in the scandal. Guatemala’s attorney general and a UN-backed anti-corruption body known as the CICIG sought to impeach Pérez on Friday after months of investigation into the racket, after a phone hotline used in the scandal.
“I will not resign and will fully submit myself to the legal process,” said Pérez, a 64-year-old retired general. “I categorically reject any link (to the scandal),” he said, apologising for the scandals afflicting his government. Pérez also took a swipe at sectors of the international community he said were “seeking to intervene” in Guatemalan democracy. He did not specify to whom he was referring. “I will not resign and will fully submit myself to the legal process,” said Pérez, a 64-year-old retired general. “I categorically reject any link [to the scandal],” he said, apologising for the scandals afflicting his government. Pérez also took a swipe at sectors of the international community he said were “seeking to intervene” in Guatemalan democracy. He did not specify to whom he was referring.
The UN commission has presented wiretap conversations in which participants mention “the R,” ‘’the No 2” and “the lady,” suspected references to Baldetti. The UN commission has presented wiretap conversations in which participants mention “the R”, “the No 2” and “the lady”, suspected references to Baldetti.
Investigations led by the CICIG have battered Guatemala’s political establishment and also engulfed the running mate of the favorite to succeed Pérez, casting doubt on the outcome of the race. Investigations led by the CICIG have battered Guatemala’s political establishment and also engulfed the running mate of the favourite to succeed Pérez, casting doubt on the outcome of the race.
Even business chambers normally supportive of Pérez Molina have asked him to resign. Investigators are seeking to revoke the president’s immunity from prosecution in the case.Even business chambers normally supportive of Pérez Molina have asked him to resign. Investigators are seeking to revoke the president’s immunity from prosecution in the case.
Prosecutors say Pérez was at the head of the scam. It is unclear how much money was involved in the fraud, More than 20 people have been arrested over it so far. Prosecutors say Pérez was at the head of the scam. It is unclear how much money was involved in the fraud. More than 20 people have been arrested over it so far.
Pérez’s agriculture and health ministers both quit his cabinet on Sunday, following in the footsteps of two others on Saturday who said they could no longer serve in his government. Baldetti, who stood down in May and was arrested on Friday while receiving treatment at a hospital, is suspected of illicit association, bribery and fraud linked to the customs racket.Pérez’s agriculture and health ministers both quit his cabinet on Sunday, following in the footsteps of two others on Saturday who said they could no longer serve in his government. Baldetti, who stood down in May and was arrested on Friday while receiving treatment at a hospital, is suspected of illicit association, bribery and fraud linked to the customs racket.
The first round of the presidential vote is due on 6 September although, with a 50% winning threshold in place, the elections are likely to go to a second round run-off on 25 October. Pérez cannot run for re-election under Guatemalan law. The first round of the presidential vote is due on 6 September although, with a 50% winning threshold in place, the elections are likely to go to a second-round runoff on 25 October. Pérez cannot run for re-election under Guatemalan law.