A Guatemalan court on Aug. 26 held that former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt [4] can stand trial for genocide and crimes against humanity but cannot be sentenced because he suffers from dementia. The court held that a special closed trial [5] can be held where all evidence and witness testimony will be presented with representative of Ríos Montt present. Ríos Montt's lawyers have an opportunity to appeal. This ruling comes after a Guatemalan court, earlier this month, ordered Rios Montt to undergo competency tests [6] to determine whether he was fit to stand trial. In May the Guatemalan Congress approved a resolution [7] denying any existence of genocide during the country's civil war.
From Jurist [8], Aug. 26. Used with permission.
