Erwin Sperisen sentenced on appeal

(Geneva, 12 september 2024) – A Geneva court has upheld on appeal the conviction of Erwin Sperisen, former head of the Guatemalan National Civil Police, as an accomplice in the extrajudicial executions of seven prisoners in 2006, and has sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment. TRIAL International welcomes this decision.

Having taken part, along with a coalition of NGOs, in the filing of a criminal complaint against him in 2009, when the investigation was opened TRIAL International, in accordance with its mandate, transmitted additional information to the Geneva prosecuting authorities. Since then, the organisation has continued to monitor developments in the case.

This conviction demonstrates once again that the perpetrators of serious crimes – no matter how high-ranking they may be, and no matter how much support they may still enjoy many years later – can be held to account for their actions. This verdict contributes to shedding light on the abuses committed in the Pavón prison in 2006 and responding to the need for justice and truth on the part of the relatives of those murdered, as well as the victims of police violence in Guatemala at the time. TRIAL International hopes that this decision will help to reduce the climate of impunity and strengthen the rule of law in the country.