(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) GUATEMALA CITY Dhu-AlQa'dah 11 1436 August 26 2015 SPA -- Guatemala's former vice president was ordered to stand trial Tuesday while the Supreme Court took the first step in allowing impeachment proceedings against President Otto Perez Molina in a fraud scandal that is pushing the country into political crisis AP reported.
Protesters demanding Perez Molina's resignation blocked roads on the outskirts of Guatemala City as a judge ordered former Vice President Roxana Baldetti to stand trial on allegations that she accepted $3.7 million in bribes as part of the customs scandal that forced her from office. The judge has yet to rule whether she will be jailed during the trial.
With the unanimous Supreme Court ruling Tuesday the congress now will vote whether to take away Perez Molina's immunity as a sitting president so he can be prosecuted and possibly removed from office.
Perez Molina rejected the possibility of resigning in a televised speech on Sunday. He has denied involvement in the scandal in which bribes were funneled to a chain of officials for helping businesses evade import duties.
Authorities say the criminal ring known as "La Linea" or "The Line" running the fraud operation was allegedly led by Baldetti's aide Juan Carlos Monzon Rojas who is currently a fugitive.
Since Friday five of Perez Molina's 13 cabinet secretaries have resigned mainly because of the scandal. Business and church groups have joined the calls for him to step down.
"We have hit a really serious political crisis" said former Vice President Eduardo Stein. "Never before have prosecutors publicly requested lifting the immunity of the president."
Tensions are mounting ahead of the Sept. 6 elections which are to elect Perez Molina's successor.
--SPA
02:51 LOCAL TIME 23:51 GMT
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.