Guatemala arrests ex defence minister for pay bonuses

Williams Agberto Mansilla Fernández (Photo by De US Embassy – US Embassy in Guatemala, Dominio público)

GUATEMALA CITY — Police have detained Guatemala’s former defence minister on charges of abuse of authority and illicit enrichment. He’s accused of approving inappropriate bonus payments for himself and President Jimmy Morales.

Former Defence Minister Williams Mansilla allegedly granted bonuses to himself and other officers and sent $61,000 to Morales.

Prosecutors confirm Mansilla was arrested Friday.

Honduras’ Supreme Court ruled in October against a request by prosecutors to strip Morales of his immunity in the case.

The court ruled the federal controller had already sanctioned Morales by making him return the money and that he could not be sanctioned twice.