By Erica Laster                                                                                                                       Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Spanish authorities re-arrested Former Interior Minister Carlos Vielmann in Spain on Thursday for the second time this month.  Vielmann is wanted in connection with the execution of prisoners at El Pavon Prison in Guatemala, extrajudicial killings and the murder of case witnesses. Evidence suggests that the murders were not the result of a vicious gun battle, but a carefully staged execution. 

After Guatemalan authorities were unable to capture Vielmann, Spanish authorities arrested him on the basis of a Guatemalan warrant.  40 days later, authorities were forced to release him because of lack of an extradition request.

In 2006, 7 inmates were killed at El Pavon prison immediately preceding a raid where authorities were thought to have discovered corruption among inmates.  Authorities later discover that top officials and prison personnel were involved in illegal and illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution.  Guatemalan authorities are also seeking his arrest in connection with the killing of 3 escaped inmates located at El Infiernito prison in 2005.

The UN backed group, International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, spearheaded the effort to bring down the former Interior Minister after discovering his involvement.  New photographic evidence shows Vielmann standing next to prison officials the day of the uprising.  Further photographic evidence shows that some prisoners were redressed and moved after being executed.

A report by the Guatemalan Human rights Ombudsman’s Office and new physical evidence tracks the fate of various inmates.  One inmate was shown shot to death with no bullet holes in his clothing, suggesting that he was shot while naked and redressed to cover the execution. 

“There are no super-citizens that are above the law,” says Francisco Dall’Anese, head of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala.  Vielmann was arraigned Thursday after turning himself into authorities, charged with murder, crimes against humanity and released on $132,000 bail.    

For more information, please visit:

CNN – Fugitive Guatemalan Official Re-arrested – 17 December 2010

CNN – Photos Provide Evidence In Guatemalan Killings Case, Officials Say – 15 December 2010

CNN – Spain Re-arrests Ex-Guatemalan Minister – 16 December 2010