PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND CICIG PRESENT EVIDENCE; JUDGE ACCEPTS IT IN ITS ENTIRETY

Guatemala, June 13, 2012. At the hearing held today in the Eighth Court of the First Criminal Instance for Drug-Related Activity and Crimes against the Environment of Guatemala City evidence was offered that substantiates the charges and the criminal proceedings instituted against former National Civil Police officer Enrique Francisco Caal Xoy and his brother, Mario Antonio Caal Xoy. Both individuals are accused of conspiracy to commit murder.

Judge Marta Sierra de Stalling ruled to admit all of the evidence put forward by the Public Prosecutor's Office and the International Commission against Impunity.

The forms of evidence submitted include 4 witness testimonies, 17 documents, 2 expert witness reports, audiovisual evidence and material evidence.

The judge forwarded proceedings to the Fourth Court for Criminal Sentencing, and set a hearing for June 12, 2012 to conduct an oral and public presentation of arguments.

BACKGROUND FACTS
The accused parties—Enrique Francisco Caal Xoy (former National Civil Police officer) and Mario Antonio Caal Xoy—were arrested on April 18, 2012 and they are accused of forming part of a criminal organization that operated in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz and Guatemala City. 

On May 17, 2012, the court in question dismissed the defense's petition to change the charges of conspiracy to commit murder to charges of making threats and self-concealment.

CICIG acts in this criminal proceeding as a complementary prosecutor.