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Guatemala's Congress strips president of immunity Guatemala's Congress strips president of immunity
(about 1 hour later)
Guatemala's congress has voted in favour of removing immunity from the country's president Otto Perez Molina.Guatemala's congress has voted in favour of removing immunity from the country's president Otto Perez Molina.
The vote paves the way for possible prosecution in a corruption scandal that has sparked huge protests in recent months.The vote paves the way for possible prosecution in a corruption scandal that has sparked huge protests in recent months.
Crowds outside Congress cheered to celebrate the news.Crowds outside Congress cheered to celebrate the news.
Prosecutors last week accused Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies wrongdoing.Prosecutors last week accused Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies wrongdoing.
The resolution was passed by 132 votes in favour, well clear of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion in the 158-member congress.The resolution was passed by 132 votes in favour, well clear of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the motion in the 158-member congress.
Under Guatemalan law the president will be automatically removed from office if remanded in custody.Under Guatemalan law the president will be automatically removed from office if remanded in custody.
His former vice-president and a string of top officials have been force to resign over the scandal. It comes as the country prepares for presidential elections on Sunday.His former vice-president and a string of top officials have been force to resign over the scandal. It comes as the country prepares for presidential elections on Sunday.
Investigators have alleged that officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties.Investigators have alleged that officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties.
Analysis: Katy Watson, BBC News, Guatemala City
A vote in favour was expected but it didn't stop the nerves - would enough politicians turn up and would members of the president's party vote against him?
When the results came in there was lots of clapping and cheering. Guatemalans couldn't be happier. The demonstration outside the congress building turned into a party, with people chanting "Yes we could!"
For the past four months Guatemalans been going out on the streets to protest over government corruption and calling for the president to resign.
This paves the way for the country's leader to be tried like any ordinary citizen and there's a sense of relief that finally, politicians are not above the law.