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Arrest warrant issued for Guatemala President Perez Molina | Arrest warrant issued for Guatemala President Perez Molina |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An arrest warrant has been issued against Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina, according to the public prosecutor's office. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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". | 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 | |
This would have been unthinkable just a few months ago. But so much has changed and Guatemalans feel empowered by what's happening with their country's politics. | |
Mr Perez Molina has repeatedly denied the allegations, and despite calls for him to step down, he has so far refused to listen. | |
His lawyer says he is prepared to face the accusations against him. Now with an arrest warrant, Guatemalans angry over government corruption are a step closer to seeing that happen. | |
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. |