Weekly Report - 9 December 2003

Despite all predictions to the contrary, judge Juana Méndez has found former President Arnoldo Alemán guilty of money-laundering, fraud, diversion of public funds, embezzlement, criminal conspiracy, and breach of electoral legislation. She sentenced him to the maximum allowed by Nicaraguan law, 20 years, plus payment of a fine yet to be determined, police surveillance for three years after completion of the sentence, and loss of civic and parental rights.