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Arrest warrant issued for Guatemala President Perez Molina | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
An arrest warrant has been issued against Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina, according to the public prosecutor's office. | |
On Tuesday, congress voted to remove his immunity from prosecution amid corruption allegations. | |
Prosecutors accuse the president of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars, allegations he denies. | |
A judge has barred Mr Perez Molina from leaving the country. | |
The president, whose term runs out in January, will now be summoned to appear before a court. | |
The detention order was signed by judge Miguel Angel Galvez, the prosecutor's office said. | |
A spokesman for Mr Perez Molina had earlier said the president would be "very respectful and submit himself to the rule of law". | |
On Tuesday, all members of congress present at the vote endorsed a move to strip the president of his immunity. | On Tuesday, all members of congress present at the vote endorsed a move to strip the president of his immunity. |
They included members of the president's own party. | They included members of the president's own party. |
A previous vote to remove his immunity failed last month. | A previous vote to remove his immunity failed last month. |
But since then, more details of the corruption scandal have emerged and calls for the president to resign have increased. | But since then, more details of the corruption scandal have emerged and calls for the president to resign have increased. |
Analysis: Katy Watson, BBC News, Guatemala City | Analysis: Katy Watson, BBC News, Guatemala City |
A vote in favour of removing immunity was expected but it did not 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!" | 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 have been going out on the streets to protest over government corruption and calling for the president to resign. | For the past four months, Guatemalans have 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 is a sense of relief that, finally, politicians are not above the law. | This paves the way for the country's leader to be tried like any ordinary citizen and there is a sense of relief that, finally, politicians are not above the law. |
Investigators allege that government officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties. | Investigators allege that government officials received a cut from bribes paid by businesses seeking to evade import duties. |
Vice-President Roxana Baldetti and a string of top officials have been forced to resign over the scandal. | Vice-President Roxana Baldetti and a string of top officials have been forced to resign over the scandal. |
Ms Baldetti is in jail awaiting trial on charges of taking millions of dollars in bribes. | Ms Baldetti is in jail awaiting trial on charges of taking millions of dollars in bribes. |
The president was stripped of his immunity just days before presidential elections on Sunday. | The president was stripped of his immunity just days before presidential elections on Sunday. |
Some protesters have demanded that the polls be postponed, but officials argue that it would be against the law. | Some protesters have demanded that the polls be postponed, but officials argue that it would be against the law. |
Mr Otto Perez Molina is barred by the constitution from standing again. | Mr Otto Perez Molina is barred by the constitution from standing again. |