Former Guatemalan Dictator Rios Montt Guilty of Genocide Charges

Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity for the killing of more than 1,700 indigenous Ixil Mayans during the Central American country’s 36-year civil war.

Rios Montt, 86, who held de facto military rule for 17 months from 1982-1983, was found guilty yesterday of mass killings, rape and torture of Mayan Indians during his “scorched earth” campaign to eliminate support for guerrillas. Dozens of Ixil Mayans testified against Rios Montt during the trial, which was the first time a former head of state has been prosecuted for genocide in a national court.