Americas News
Guatemala approves ex-president's extradition to US
Mar 18, 2010, 14:51 GMT
Guatemala City - A Guatemalan court on Wednesday gave the go-ahead to the extradition of the country's former president Alfonso Portillo to the United States on corruption charges.
Portillo, 58, faces accusations of embezzling state funds and money laundering during his 2000 to 2004 term.
The leftist former president rejected the charges as politically motivated and said that he would appeal the ruling.
A battle was lost, but the fight was continuing, he said.
Portillo fled to Mexico in 2005 after losing his immunity, but was extradited to Guatemala in October 2008.
He is accused of having embezzled tens of millions of dollars of public funds, which were laundered through banks in the US and Europe, an indictment by a grand jury in New York said.
Guatemalan authorities have also said they hold him responsible for the disappearance of 15 million dollars in Defence Department funding.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Americas
- 1. Mexico drug lord Arellano gets 25 years in US prison
- 2. Drug violence not just Mexican problem, North American leaders say
- 3. Mexico drug lord Arellano sentenced to 25 years in US prison
- 4. Pope Cuba Visit Pictures
- 5. Pope thanks Mexico for "unforgettable experiences"
Older Talkback
