Guatemalan Ex-President Gets His Day in Court

Posted on Jan 23, 2011

AP / Rodridgo Abd

Former President Alfonso Portillo in 2008, after being extradited from Mexico to face corruption charges in Guatemala City.

Justice is coming to Guatemala, as former President Alfonso Portillo has gone on trial in Guatemala City, accused of embezzling a cool $15 million. —JCL

The BBC:

Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo has gone on trial in Guatemala City on charges of embezzlement.

Mr Portillo denies stealing $15m (£9.7m) from the defence ministry while he was in power between 2000 and 2004.

The trial had been postponed repeatedly as Mr Portillo’s lawyers presented a series of objections to the legal process.

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