Guatemala president retains immunity from prosecution in graft probe

Guatemala’s Congress on Monday voted overwhelmingly to preserve President Jimmy Morales’ immunity from prosecution after the attorney general submitted a request to investigate him over suspected financing irregularities during his 2015 election campaign.

The vote to protect Morales from possible prosecution was lopsided, with only 25 of the 158 members of Congress voting to strip Morales’ of his legal protections.

Presidential immunity can only be lifted with the backing of at least two-thirds of the chamber, or 105 members.

Source: Reuters