2013-04-19. On day 21, the Genocide Trial’s fate rests on the Constitutional Court

Guatemala City, Guatemala.

April 19, 2013.

Despite the trial’s suspension ordered by High Risk Court Judge Carol Flores on the previous day, Judge Jazmin Barrios reconvened the trial on the 21st day to decide on a course of action. Judge Barrios ruled that Judge Flores’ annulment is illegal and will be asking the Constitutional Court, Guatemala’s highest judicial body, to rule on the fate of the genocide trial. Afterwards, a protest march walked from the Supreme Court of Justice to the Constitutional Court.

The accused, Rodriguez Sanchez (forefront) and Rios Montt, appeared without lawyers.

Members of the prosecution team await Judge Barrios’ ruling.

Judge Barrios declares no one person has the right to annul the trial, hence will be asking the Constitutional Court to decide on the fate of the trial.

Julia Cortez, former president of the plaintiff organization AJR (Association for Justice and Reconciliation) celebrates the decision.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchu applauds the decision.

Human rights defenders Claudia Samayoa (center) and Iduvina Hernandez also applaud the decision by Judge Barrios.

Human rights defender Marylena Bustamante also applauds the decision.

Page quoting a tweet by @puebloresiste states: “It is because of my detained-disappeared family members that I can clam #ThereWasGenocide”.

Protest march goes from the Supreme Court of Justice to the Constitutional Court (CC).

Edgar Perez, one of the prosecution lawyers, arrives to the CC.

According to the prosecution team, no trial can be suspended for more than 10 business days. Hence, they expect the CC, highest court in the land, to rule by May 2nd.

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Versión en español aquí.