Former guatemala vice president sentenced in corruption case

The former vice-president is awaiting trial over a bigger corruption scandal.

Former Guatemalan President Otto Perez

A court in Guatemala has sentenced the former vice-president, Roxana Baldetti, to 15 years and six months in jail for her role in what became known as the "Magic Water" scandal. Prosecutors said that she embezzled millions from a state fund set up to decontaminate a lake. The chemical formula used as part of the clean-up was an ineffective solution of water, salt and chlorine.

The deal was negotiated by her brother, Mario, who held no official post. In his verdict, Judge Pablo Xitumul said that Ms Baldetti was the mastermind of a scheme devised to defraud the Guatemalan state. However, the chemicals being used in the decontaminations scheme turned out to be mostly water and salt - leading the scandal to be dubbed "Magic Water".

Ms Baldetti was forced to stand down in after huge anti-corruption protests. Guatemalan media have hailed the verdict as historic, in a region where the rich and the powerful have traditionally enjoyed impunity. Several Guatemalan officials and the Israeli businessman, Uri Roitman, were also sentenced to jail. Ms Baldetti left office in disgrace in , after the biggest anti-corruption protests the country had ever seen.

Guatemala ex-vice-president wanted by US. Guatemala ex-VP Baldetti in court. Guatemala arrests over helicopter 'gift'. Guatemala president's relatives in court. Image source, EPA. He was sentenced to 13 years in jail.