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Guatemala ex-leader Rios Montt appears in court Guatemala ex-leader Rios Montt to face genocide charge
(about 7 hours later)
Former Guatemalan military leader Efrain Rios Montt has appeared before a court which will decide if he should face charges of genocide. Ex-Guatemalan military leader Efrain Rios Montt is to be tried for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Gen Rios Montt, 85, was in power from 1982-1983, when some of the worst atrocities of Guatemala's long civil war were committed. Gen Rios Montt, 85, was in power from 1982-1983, when some of the country's worst civil war atrocities occurred.
Whole villages of indigenous Mayans were massacred as part of government efforts to defeat left-wing rebels.Whole villages of indigenous Mayans were massacred as part of government efforts to defeat left-wing rebels.
His lawyer says he is innocent because he was "never on the battlefield". Gen Rios Montt, who has denied ordering massacres, refused to comment in court. But a judge ruled he had a case to answer, placing him under house arrest.
A judge will decide whether the former general can be tried for human rights abuses committed under his rule. As a congressman, Gen Rios Montt had enjoyed immunity from prosecution for 12 years. The immunity was lifted on 14 January 2012, when his term in office ran out.
As a congressman, he had enjoyed immunity from prosecution for 12 years. The immunity was lifted on 14 January 2012, when his term in office ran out. Gonzalo Rodriguez Galvez, a lawyer for Gen Rios Montt, told Prensa Libre newspaper he was sure the former general was not responsible for the alleged crimes "since he was never on the battlefield".
Chain of command 'Chain of command'
Prosecutor Manuel Vasquez said he would present documents, videos and statements accusing Gen Rios Montt of "planning, designing and overseeing the military counter-insurgency plans against the indigenous population in Ixil de Quiche". However, prosecutors argued a rigid chain of command in the military at the time meant the general was responsible, even though he was not present at the killings.
Manuel Vasquez said he could present documents, videos and statements accusing Gen Rios Montt of "planning, designing and overseeing the military counter-insurgency plans against the indigenous population in Ixil de Quiche".
Mr Vasquez accused Gen Rios Montt of being behind 100 massacres in which 1,771 people were killed and 29,000 displaced.Mr Vasquez accused Gen Rios Montt of being behind 100 massacres in which 1,771 people were killed and 29,000 displaced.
"We have sufficient evidence for charges of genocide and crimes against humanity," he told the Associated Press news agency. Human rights activists and relatives of the victims of Guatemala's 36-year-long civil war gathered outside the court before the hearing, holding signs reading "No impunity".
Gonzalo Rodriguez Galvez, a lawyer for Gen Rios Montt, told Prensa Libre newspaper he was sure the former general was not responsible for the alleged crimes "since he was never on the battlefield". Gen Rios Montt has always denied ordering massacres. Victims' relatives and activists had welcomed the preliminary hearing. They said they had been encouraged by the sentencing last August of four former soldiers for the massacre in the village of Dos Erres in 1982.
But prosecutors say military documents show those who committed the massacres were operating under a rigid chain of command, and reported to top commanders.
This, prosecutors argue, makes Gen Rios Montt responsible, even though he was not present at the killings.
Human rights activists and relatives of the victims of Guatemala's 36-year-long civil war gathered outside the court, holding signs reading "No impunity".
Victims' relatives and activists have welcomed the preliminary hearing. They said they had been encouraged by the sentencing last August of four former soldiers for the massacre in the village of Dos Erres in 1982.
The four, the first former soldiers to be convicted for human rights abuses, received 30 years for each of the 201 victims.The four, the first former soldiers to be convicted for human rights abuses, received 30 years for each of the 201 victims.
An estimated 200,000 people were killed or went missing during Guatemala's civil conflict, which ended in 1996. Gen Rios Montt's 17 months in power are believed to be one of the most brutal periods of the war.An estimated 200,000 people were killed or went missing during Guatemala's civil conflict, which ended in 1996. Gen Rios Montt's 17 months in power are believed to be one of the most brutal periods of the war.