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Over 30
Guatemalan Soldiers Engage in Embezzlement
Over 30
Guatemalan Soldiers Engage in Embezzlement
Guatemala - A special
attorney in Guatemala investigates Monday 32
soldiers, among them several ex defense
ministers, accused of embezzlement of
millions Army funds committed between 2001
and 2003.
During that period 906 million quetzals
(about 114 million dollars) were stolen from
the budget of this armed institution without
protection of an invoice or any other
countable documents.
The case began to be investigated in 2004
but the soldiers justified expenses on
alleged military secrets although at that
time the Peace Agreements have already been
signed that put end to the internal armed
conflict.
The Court of Constitutionality rejected that
argument almost two years later and in 2008
the International Commission against
Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) joined the
investigations.
They proved the funds were distributed in
cash and put in private accounts of people
involved with officers.
Among the people searched appeared ex
Defense minister Juan De Dios Estrada
Velásquez, Eduardo Arévalo Lacs, Álvaro
Lionel Méndez Estrada and Robin Macloni
Morán, as well as ex dictator Efrain Rios
Montt's son General Enrique Rios Sosa.
The diversion of million funds also reached
Alfonso Portillo the then president of the
Republic which signature appeared in 16
government agreements issued authorizing
irregular transfer.
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