Guatemala’s Supreme Court revokes immunity from anti-corruption judge

Guatemala’s Supreme Court revoked immunity on Wednesday from prosecution to anti-corruption Judge Pablo Xitumul.

According to the resolution of the Supreme Court of Justice, Xitumul’s immunity has been revoked by a majority.

Xitumul is the First Instance Judge of the First Court of Criminal Sentencing, Drug Trafficking, and Environmental Crimes of Guatemala at the high-risk court, created after the U.N.-backed corruption commission pushed for reforms to try corruption in the Central American country.

By revoking his immunity, Xitumul could now be investigated for a complaint filed by National Police inspector Jose Cuxaj in 2019, accusing him of not allowing police to inspect the judge’s car after being stopped. Both sides filed complaints.

Judge Xitumul said by removing his immunity, he would most likely be summoned by a judge and arrested, according to local newspaper Prensa Libre.

Xitumul is one of the most renowned judges in Guatemala because he has sent prison several former officials linked to corruption cases or crimes against humanity to prison.

The judge sentenced former president José Ríos Montt to 80 years in prison for genocide in 2013. In 2018 he sentenced former vice-president Roxana Baldetti to 15 years in prison for corruption. He also sentenced Marvin Montiel Marín, the "Taquero," a drug trafficker who ordered the murder of 15 Nicaraguan citizens and a Dutchman in 2008.

Many family members or friends of those he sent to prison have filed complaints against him and have sought his removal from the court. “They achieved it today," Xitumul said.

"Let's hope that everything goes smoothly and maybe we can even get a lack of merit because there is nothing against me, I do have the elements against the accused," the judge said.