Alfonso Portillo, the Ex-President of Guatemala, has begun his trial in which the prosecution will try to prove that he stole $15 million from the defense ministry while he was in office.
From 2000 to 2004, Portillo allegedly authorized approximately $15 million to be transferred from the public funds to those specifically set aside for defense purposes. Then, prosecutors claim that officials in Portillo’s inner circle would hide the money in personal bank accounts in Europe as well as the US.
Shortly after his term ended, Portillo deserted Guatemala for Mexico, but was sent back to his home country in 2008. He claims that he left because he would not be able to achieve a fair trial in Guatemala.
Former Defense Minister Eduardo Arevalo and former Finance Minister Manuel Maza are on trial as well.
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