Corruption

Guatemalan Ex-President to Remain Behind Bars until Tuesday Detention Hearing

The former president, who resigned from office late Wednesday night, a day after Congress stripped him of immunity from prosecution, is accused of criminal conspiracy and bribe-taking in connection with the “La Linea” case, in which importers allegedly bribed government officials in exchange for substantially reduced tariffs.

Perez Molina was finally forced to step down amid weeks of street protests and mounting legal woes, but he vehemently denies the allegations.

The customs-fraud case is being investigated by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office and the UN-sponsored CICIG anti-impunity commission.