The News
Sunday 22 of December 2024

Guatemala Request to Lift President's Immunity to Proceed


A demonstrator holds images of Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales, left, and his Vice President Jafeth Cabrera that reads in English:
A demonstrator holds images of Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales, left, and his Vice President Jafeth Cabrera that reads in English: "Guilty! Resign now!" during a protest outside the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City,photo: AP/Luis Soto
Prosecutors allege that about $825,000 of financing for the campaign was hidden

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemala’s Supreme Court has sent a request to lift President Jimmy Morales’ immunity from prosecution to congress for final consideration.

Monday’s court decision on the request from prosecutors is related to allegations of illegal financing for Morales’ 2015 campaign. Investigations have targeted several political parties including his National Convergence Front.

 

Prosecutors allege that about $825,000 of financing for the campaign was hidden and other expenditures had no explainable source of funding. Morales has denied any wrongdoing.

Last month chief prosecutor Thelma Adana and the head of a U.N. anti-corruption commission announced they were seeking to lift the immunity of office that Morales enjoys as president.

Two days later Morales ordered commission chief Ivan Velásquez’s immediate expulsion from the country. But that was overturned by the Constitutional Court.