By: Este Chep, BTS Lead Cooperant

On November 29th, Judge Jimy Rodolfo Bremer Ramirez also gave the official order to initiate the trial against Colonel Luis Enrique Mendoza Garcia for genocide and crimes against humanity against 1,442 Maya Ixil peoples between April 1982 and July 1983.  The case provides sufficient proof that as part of the military coup government of Efrain Rios Montt, Mendoza Garcia was a military leader who participated in cruel and violent treatments by the state against civilian populations. The judge also added that there is reason to believe that there was an intention to eliminate the Maya Ixil population, who were seen as combative and rebellious. Bail for the accused was set at Q30,000 (approximately $5,000 CND) and he was placed under house arrest, as well as prohibited from travelling outside of the department of Guatemala.