Rios Montt verdict annulled in Guatemala...new trial ordered...breaking story

[Molly Molloy]

The Rios Montt verdict has been annulled by the Constitutional Court. The court ordered that he be given a new trial. This was just broadcast on the BBC and in other world media. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2013/05/130520_ultnot_guatemala_corte_anula_fallo_rios_montt_jrg.shtml

Guatemala: anulan sentencia por genocido a Ríos Mont

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La Corte Constitucional de Guatemala anuló la sentencia de 80 años de prisión por genocidio al exgobernante de facto Efraín Ríos Montt.

Ríos Montt fue condenado el pasado 10 de mayo por genocidio y crímenes de guerra durante su mandato a principios de los años ochenta.

El tribunal ordenó celebrar un nuevo juicio.

En tanto, el exjefe de Estado permanece internado desde hace una semana en el Hospital Militar, tras sufrir una crisis de hipertensión.

[Molly Molloy]

More details...  I can't say this is a surprise.  The military in Guatemala (and in other countries in Latin America) have the kind of power that gives them almost complete impunity.  Let's hope that the original verdict can prevail if the trial resumes.  

Ríos Montt genocide case collapses

Conviction of Guatemala's former dictator is thrown out by constitutional court after row among judges over jurisdiction

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• Agencies in Guatemala City
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 20 May 2013 22.42 EDT

Guatemala's former dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt during his trial on genocide charges. Photograph: Moises Castillo/AP

Guatemala's constitutional court has overturned a genocide conviction against former dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt, throwing out all proceedings against him since a dispute broke out in April over who should hear it.

Ríos Montt was found guilty on 10 May of overseeing the deliberate killings by the armed forces of at least 1,771 members of the Maya Ixil population during his 1982-83 rule. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison.

But the constitutional court said it had thrown out all proceedings in the case that took place after 19 April. It was then that the trial against Ríos Montt was suspended after a spat between judges over who should take the case.

Constitutional court secretary Martin Guzman said the trial needed to go back to where it stood on 19 April to solve several appeal issues.

A three-judge panel convicted the 86-year-old of genocide and crimes against humanity in what was regarded as a historic decision involving a Latin American leader.

His lawyers immediately filed an appeal and he spent only one day in prison before he was moved to a military hospital, where he remains.