MURDER OF BUSINESSMAN MUSA AND HIS DAUGHTER GOES TO TRIAL

Guatemala, July 11, 2011. The Second High-Risk Trial Court opened trial proceedings today against ten individuals, all charged with participating in the murder of businessman Khalil Musa and that of his daughter, Marjorie Musa, on April 14, 2009.

The individuals, as listed below, will be tried on charges of murder and criminal association:

1. Felipe Antonio Escobar Sicán (alleged accessory before the fact);
2. Marlon Wilfredo Pineda González;
3. Wilfredo Antonio Paz Mejía;
4. Mario Luis Paz Mejía;
5. Wilian Gilberto Santos Divas;
6. Edwin Idelmo López;
7. Balmoris Guzmán Orellana;
8. Samuel Girón Cobar;
9. Bayron Estuardo Santos Divas;
10. Rudy Romeo Rodríguez Pocón (to be tried for criminal association only).

At the debate, a series of evidence will be presented by the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), including testimonies, documents and scientific evidence. CICIG acts as a complementary prosecutor in the proceedings, and two lawyers from the Commission will be in attendance at the trial proceedings.

The father and daughter were murdered on April 14, 2009 at 12:50 while travelling in their vehicle between Avenida Petapa and the corner of 35 Calle (Zone 12 of Guatemala City). They had previously left the facilities of their business, Lacetex.