Tag Archives: immunity
Guatemala tries ex-dictator Rios Montt in landmark case
By Mike McDonald GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) – Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt's defense team rejected charges he allowed the slaughter of civilians in Guatemala's civil war, as his country became the world's first to prosecute an ex-head of state for genocide and crimes against humanity. For decades, Rios Montt, 86, was not prosecuted for alleged atrocities committed during his 1982-1983 rule in a particularly bloody phase of the country's long civil war, protected as a congressman by a law that grants immunity to public officials. … Continue reading
China paves way for prosecuting disgraced politician Bo Xilai
BEIJING (Reuters) – China's largely rubber stamp parliament has expelled disgraced former senior politician Bo Xilai, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday, paving the way for formal criminal charges to be laid against him. The expulsion removes Bo's immunity from prosecution as a member of parliament Continue reading
Ex-Somali PM must pay $21 million for alleged torture: U.S. court
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A former Somali prime minister denied diplomatic immunity must pay $21 million in damages to the victims of his alleged torture and human rights abuse, a U.S. Continue reading
Vatican hits back at Italy over document seizure
The Vatican chastised Italian authorities on Friday for seizing documents intended for the pope during a raid on the home of the recently ousted Vatican bank chief, reminding them that the Holy See is a sovereign state whose officials and documents enjoy immunity protections. Continue reading
Decision expected on fate of Strauss-Kahn lawsuit
A judge was expected to rule on whether to allow a hotel maid’s lawsuit against Dominique Strauss-Kahn after he claimed diplomatic immunity. Continue reading
Foreclosure Settlement Will Settle Nothing
NEW YORK (TheStreet) — A foreclosure settlement between the banks and the 50 states Monday, if it does finally happen, will likely not have the positive outcomes that investors have been hoping for. Details of the deal emerging from recent press reports suggests that the states, while requiring banks to address their foreclosure procedures and reduce principal on mortgages, might not grant them any real immunity from future mortgage litigation. Continue reading
Obama’s Immunity for Illegal Immigrants Is a Smart Play for Votes
NEW YORK (TheStreet) — President Barack Obama needs every vote he can get, and his comments Friday probably didn’t hurt. During a press conference, the president announced that he would extend deportation immunity to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they turned 16. Continue reading →