ARRESTS FOR PASSPORT FORGERIES RISES TO 23

Guatemala, January 23, 2014. The National Civil Police (PNC), with the support of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and CICIG, arrested Henry Zepeda Álvarez (former employee of the National Registry of Persons [RENAP]) in Zone 4 of Mixco on suspicion of involvement in an organization that forged passports. This organization was allegedly led by Arnoldo de Jesús Miranda Fuentes, Secretary General of the General Directorate of Migration Workers' Union.

The criminal organization illegally facilitated temporary residence for citizens of diverse nationalities, as well as enabling them to enter and depart Guatemala with illegally-issued Guatemalan passports.

Zepeda Álvarez is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents, falsification of facts and criminal association. With this latest operation, the total number of arrested members of this criminal network rises to 23.

Since January 17, the authorities have arrested 23 individuals—including officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents. The initial appearance of the arrested individuals is set to be held today before High-Risk Trial Court B.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted. They were all arrested in August 2013.