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Guatemala City (AFP) – Guatemalan ex-president Otto Perez appeared in court Thursday over corruption allegations, hours after he resigned following unprecedented protests that have upended the political scene three days from elections. The conservative leader sent his resignation to Congress just before midnight Wednesday, after lawmakers voted unanimously to strip him of his presidential immunity — a first in Guatemalan history.
A judge issued a warrant for his arrest in the hours that followed, leaving him little choice but to quit. Thursday’s hearing could see the 64-year-old remanded in custody pending trial — a decision that would in any case have automatically removed him from office under Guatemalan law. “I’m calm and I will face the situation bravely, because I’ve done nothing wrong,” Perez told a local radio station before his appearance at the Supreme Court, where he sported a dark suit, a red tie and a haggard look on his face.
The retired general stepped down after clinging to power through months of mounting protests.
Investigators accuse Perez of running a scheme that allowed businesses to pay bribes in exchange for illegal discounts on import duties.
Guatemalans fed up with corruption erupted in celebration outside the Supreme Court early Thursday on the news of Perez’s resignation.
“Otto, you thief, you’re going to Pavon!” they chanted, referring to one of the country’s main prisons.
“It’s what the people wanted. There’s no doubt the president was involved,” said Pamela Saravia, an unemployed 34-year-old who was beating a tambourine outside the court.
Guatemalan Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, who joined the celebrations in Constitution Square, called on the protesters to “continue this social movement with courage and maturity.”
Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned hours after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Prosecutors accuse Mr Perez Molina of masterminding a scheme to defraud the customs service of millions of dollars. He denies the allegations.
On Tuesday, Congress stripped him of his immunity from prosecution, a first in the Central American nation.
A spokesman said Mr Perez Molina had decided to step down to “confront the proceedings against him”.
Bribery allegations
Mr Perez Molina’s resignation comes just days before Sunday’s presidential election, in which he was barred from standing under constitutional rules.
