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Written by Jelena
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Monday, 24 August 2009 14:03 |
The Honduran Supreme Court on Saturday announced that ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya would face charges for violating the constitution if he returned from exile, creating a potentially deal-breaking obstacle to a proposed agreement to end nearly two months of political turmoil. In a statement, the high court replied to a request from the government of interim Honduran President Roberto Micheletti to consider a proposal that would have ended the crisis in part by restoring Zelaya to the presidency, albeit with reduced powers.
The criminal charges against Zelaya have been filed by the country’s attorney general’s office and, lacking any applicable laws to the contrary, cannot be disregarded if the deposed president returns, the court said.
The charges against Zelaya include treason and abuse of power, the document said.
The proposed agreement, known as the San Jose Accord and proposed by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, was the outcome of the last attempts of negotiations by the two sides, who have disputed the presidency of Honduras following the June 28 coup that sent Zelaya into exile.
“Any type of political settlement that comes from the San Jose Accord, despite its goal of achieving national unity and reconciliation, must ensure that its implementation is carried out under the aegis of the constitution and the law of the Republic of Honduras,” the court’s statement said.
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The Honduran Supreme Court on Saturday announced that ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya would face charges for violating the constitution if he returned from exile, creating a potentially deal-breaking obstacle to a proposed agreement to end nearly two months of political turmoil.