US bid to try Guatemala ex-leader

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Guatemalan police are searching for the former president, Alfonso Portillo, after the US requested his extradition to face money-laundering charges.

Police officers have visited several of his properties but Mr Portillo has so far not been located, officials said.

Mr Portillo fled to Mexico after his term finished in 2004 and ended his immunity from prosecution.

He was sent back in 2008 to face corruption charges, which he has repeatedly denied.

US investigators have accused Mr Portillo of laundering money via US banks and then sending the funds to accounts in Europe and the Bermudas.

A Guatemalan court approved the US extradition request on Friday.

Mr Portillo has been accused by Guatemalan authorities over the disappearance of $15m (£9.2m) earmarked for the Guatemalan defence department.