Guatemala: Rios Montt stripped of immunity

The Supreme Court in Guatemala has removed the immunity from prosecution of the former military ruler and current president of Congress, General Efrain Rios Montt.

The move also applies to twenty-three ruling party legislators.

The president of the Supreme Court Hugo Maul said a special judge would now investigate accusations against the congressmen of abuse of power, obstruction of justice and violation of the constitution.

The leader of the opposition Leonel Lopez has accused the legislators of illegally amending a law that taxed alcoholic beverages.

Correspondents say the Supreme Court's ruling does not allow General Rios Montt to be tried for alleged human rights abuses during the Guatemala's thirty-year civil war. But human rights groups say they hope it could pave the way for a future genocide trial.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service