Former President Otto Pérez Molina of Guatemala has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for tax fraud, among other things. Pérez Molina must also pay a fine of 1 million euros. Former Vice President Roxana Baldetti will receive the same fine and punishment, international news agencies reported on the night from Wednesday to Thursday. According to the judge, the duo is guilty of criminal conspiracy in addition to tax fraud.
The conviction follows in a corruption case that revolves around importers who paid bribes to officials to avoid import duties. Guatemala would have lost millions in tax revenue that way. Pérez Molina and Baldetti were also suspected of illicit self-enrichment, but they were acquitted.
The now 72-year-old Pérez Molina, who has been in detention for the past few years awaiting the verdict, said in response to the verdict that he was “disappointed and frustrated”. The former president denies guilt and said he had “never issued illegal orders”. Beforehand, Pérez Molina assumed an acquittal; he is appealing.
Arrest warrant
Pérez Molina was president of Guatemala from 2012 to 2015. He resigned after an arrest warrant was issued for him. The local authorities detained him at the time because they feared he would flee the country.
The arrest warrant against Pérez Molina was unique in Guatemalan politics: this has never happened to a sitting head of government before. Soon after, his immunity was also stripped. The corruption scandal also led to the impeachment of Vice President Baldetti in 2015.