Prosecutor to seek jail for Guatemalan President

Guatemalan Attorney General Thelma Aldana said she will ask a court to jail President Otto Pérez Molina during a probe of alleged illicit association, fraud and receiving bribe money.

Pérez Molina resigned at midnight, though he technically remains president until Congress meets to accept it. The Congress plans to meet later in the day.

He is appearing in court and maintains his innocence. A probe of corruption earlier led to the resignation and jailing of his vice president.

The detention order against Molina Perez and his subsequent resignation are being welcomed by rights advocates and other Guatemalans.

Jorge de León, Guatemala's human rights prosecutor, says the order to detain the president "strengthens the rule of law."

Jorge Briz, president of Guatemala's business chamber, says that Guatemala "has sent a message to the world" that "the law is working."

Gabriel Wer, who heads the movement that organized the protests against Molina Pérez, says that the rallies were "a fundamental ingredient in all that is happening."

Pérez Molina was already under order not to leave the country, and on Tuesday the congress lifted his immunity from prosecution.