Prosecutors in Guatemala ask court to lift president-elect’s immunity. OAS calls it ‘coup attempt’

By SONIA PÉREZ D.
Associated Press

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Prosecutors in Guatemala have asked a court to strip President-elect Bernardo Arévalo of his immunity. It is the third time they have done so since he won election in August, and the Organization of American States is calling the moves part of “a coup attempt.” Arévalo is scheduled to take office Jan. 14, and it is unclear whether prosecutors’ continued targeting of him and his party could interfere with the inauguration. The prosecutors’ request Friday cites alleged irregularities in the way his Seed Movement party gathered signatures to register as a party. Authorities arrested a number of Seed Movement members in recent weeks, and also requested that Arévalo lose his immunity over the takeover of a public university last year.