Guatemala ex-dictator to stand trial on genocide charges in civil war killings of Indians

Sonia Perez-Diaz

Elena de Paz, an Ixil Indian woman, center, attends the pre-trial hearing for Guatemala's former dictator Efrain Rios Montt (1982-1983) in a courtroom in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. A judge in Guatemala has begun pre-trial hearings in a genocide case against former dictator Efrain Rios Montt, who is accused of overseeing hundreds of killings when he ruled Guatemala from 1982 to 1983, at the height of the country's 36-year civil war. The war ended in peace accords in 1996, after 200,000 deaths. Elena de Paz is from the area where the alleged genocide took place. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

January 28, 2013 - 11:47 AM

GUATEMALA CITY - A judge has ruled that a former U.S.-backed dictator who presided over one of the bloodiest periods of Guatemala's civil war will stand trial on charges he ordered the murder, torture and displacement of thousands of Mayan Indians.

Human rights advocates have said Jose Efrain Rios Montt's prosecution would be an important symbolic victory for the victims of one of the horrific conflicts that devastated Central America during the last decades of the Cold War. The Tuesday decision clears the way for a three-judge panel to hear the evidence against Rios Montt and decide to either judge him guilty and sentence him, exonerate him of the charge or start a public trial to rule on his guilt or innocence.

News from © The Associated Press, 2013

The Associated Press

More News ...

iN RESPONSE: Readers have their say
Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the first week of May 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjone

From frost to drought: Strong start to Okanagan asparagus season despite challenges
It’s finally asparagus season at a North Okanagan farm after cooler spring weather pushed back the predicted start date, and all hands are on deck picking the crunchy green spears. For the past few weeks, overnight sub-zero temperatur

Thailand's prime minister wants to outlaw cannabis, 2 years after it was decriminalized
BANGKOK (AP) — The prime minister of Thailand, the first country in Asia to legalize cannabis two years ago, said Wednesday that he wants to outlaw the drug again amid concerns that the lack of regulation had made it available to children a

Ritz-Carlton looking to build luxury homes at Vernon’s Predator Ridge resort
Vernon’s Predator Ridge resort community is not only looking to build a gondola, the global luxury brand Ritz-Carlton is set to build vacation homes. Wesbild Holdings, the company that owns Predator Ridge, announced today, May 9, the

Popular kamloops News

WE DO RECOVER: Kamloops mother leaves life of crime and drugs behind
Looking at Kamloops mother Joni Reed it’s difficult to fathom how many years she survived living on the streets with a meth addiction. Life springs in every corner of her home with her
May 07, 2024 7:00 AM
Serious crash closes Highway 97 south of Peachland
Emergency crews are on the scene of a serious car crash on Highway 97 south of Peachland and traffic is backing up this afternoon. Traffic both northbound and southbound are badly congested,
May 09, 2024 2:02 PM
Police issue public warning about escalating gang violence in Kamloops
Police expect gang violence to continue after a string of shootings and arsons in Kamloops. Kamloops RCMP are warning the public to stay clear of two men believed to be targeted in the viole
May 08, 2024 4:28 PM
Advisor wary of recall legislation as Kamloops councillors call for mayor's resignation
A provincially-appointed advisor sent to Kamloops with the goal of coaching city council through its dysfunction spent weeks working with the mayor and eight councillors, but he is "not optim
May 08, 2024 7:00 AM
Man in 20s dies in house fire in Blackpool north of Kamloops
A young man died in a house fire in the small community of Blackpool about 115 kilometres north of Kamloops along Highway 5 North Wednesday. Fire crews were called the blaze at approximately
May 09, 2024 8:21 AM

Fire danger level raised to high in all Central Okanagan regional parks
The fire danger in the Central Okanagan has been bumped to high in all regional district parks ahead of what's e
May 10, 2024 7:00 PM
Rare chance for a northern lights show in Kamloops, Okanagan this weekend
There's a strong chance the northern lights will appear in the sky over Kamloops and the Okanagan tonight, May 1
May 10, 2024 6:00 PM
B.C. confident that cybersecurity attacks on government were state directed
VANCOUVER - A state or state-sponsored actor was likely responsible for a series of cybersecurity attacks targeting Bri
May 10, 2024 4:55 PM
Kamloops man facing weapons charges following stolen vehicle investigation
A Kamloops man is facing seven charges related to weapons after police discovered he was in a stolen vehicle.
May 10, 2024 4:38 PM
Police ask for help to find missing Kamloops man
Kamloops RCMP are asking for the public’s help to find a missing 29-year-old man. Daniel Czernisz was la
May 10, 2024 3:57 PM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: Pup's agility training isn't going so well

© 2024 InfoTel News Ltd

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile