Article: Protect Judges

Guatemala Develops Plan to Protect Judges

By Associated Press
April 29, 2005

Guatemala City, Guatemala -- Guatemala's Supreme Court adopted a plan Friday to offer protection to 19 judges and six magistrates who have received death threats.

The announcement follows the shooting death of judge Jose Victor Bautista Orozco on Monday and an attack on prosecutor Jose Antonio Melendez Sandoval who was shot in the face Wednesday.

The plan will set up a "security unit" for the judiciary, said Luis Fernandez, a Supreme Court magistrate.

"I can't comment on the details, but the court's instructions are to make our best effort to protect all the judicial officials," said Angel Conte, who will head the plan.

Special attention will be given to judges who, like Bautista, work in high-risk tribunals that deal with drug trafficking and kidnapping cases.

Bautista was killed by three individuals who shot him 14 times as he left his home in San Pedro Sacatepequez, a city 160 miles west of this capital city.

Melendez was also attacked as he left his home in the small town of Malacatan, about 150 miles south west of Guatemala City. He is in stable but serious condition in a Guatemala City hospital.

Both attacks occurred this week in the San Marcos province, which borders Mexico and is plagued with drug trafficking mafias, contraband and human trafficking.

There have been 31 threats against judicial officials in Guatemala in 2005. This is a proportional increase compared to last year where 70 threats were registered the entire year.