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GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has resigned in the face of a corruption scandal.
A spokesman says Perez Molina submitted his resignation at midnight Wednesday local time after a judge issued an order to detain him in a customs fraud case, which already has led to the jailing of his vice president and the resignation of some Cabinet ministers.
The order is not for arrest, but for Perez Molina to appear before a judge on accusations of illicit association, fraud and receiving bribe money. The president's attorney tells The Associated Press that Perez Molina will appear voluntarily.
Perez Molina has maintained his innocence and vows to face the legal process. No formal charges have been filed yet.
It is the first time a sitting Guatemalan president has faced prosecution, though several have faced corruption charges after leaving office.
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APPHOTO NY110: File-This Aug. 31, 2015, file photo shows Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina speaking during a press conference, in Guatemala City. A president's spokesman says Molina has resigned in the face of a fraud scandal. Jorge Ortega says Perez Molina submitted his resignation at midnight local time Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, after a judge issued an order to detain him in a corruption case that has brought his government to the brink. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File) (31 Aug 2015)
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APPHOTO MCX115: A couple celebrates in front of the Guatemalan Congress building as they hear the news that Congress has voted to withdraw President Otto Perez Molina's immunity from prosecution, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2015. Perez Molina's government has been beset by a series of corruption cases, but until now he has been immune to prosecution as president. (AP Photo Moises Castillo) (1 Sep 2015)
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APPHOTO MCX118: Demonstrators react in jubilation in front of the Guatemalan Congress building as they hear the news that Congress has voted to withdraw President Otto Perez Molina's immunity from prosecution, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2015. Perez Molina's government has been beset by a series of corruption cases, but until now he has been immune to prosecution as president. (AP Photo Moises Castillo) (1 Sep 2015)
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APPHOTO MCX126: Demonstrators wave Guatemalan flags as they celebrate that Congress voted to withdraw President Otto Perez Molina's immunity from prosecution, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2015. Perez Molina's government has been beset by a series of corruption cases, but until now he has been immune to prosecution as president. (AP Photo Moises Castillo) (1 Sep 2015)
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