Gen Rios Montt will face charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of 1,771 indigenous Mayans during his rule in 1982-1983.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said he wanted to wipe out the indigenous group, which he suspected of supporting rebel fighters.<\/p>\n
Gen Rios Montt, 86, is the first ex-president to be charged with genocide by a Latin American court.<\/p>\n
The ruling clears the way for a three-judge to try the former president and another former military man, Jose Mauricio Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
‘Scorched earth’<\/p>\n
Gen Rios Montt had enjoyed immunity from prosecution for 12 years while he was serving as a congressman.<\/p>\n
The immunity was lifted on 14 January 2012, when his term ran out. He has been under house arrest since.<\/p>\n
Judge Miguel Angel Galvez said there was enough evidence linking the general to the killing of members of the Ixil Maya group to warrant the trial.<\/p>\n
Gen Rios Montt will also face charges over the forced displacement of 29,000 indigenous Guatemalans as part of what human rights groups have called his “scorched earth” policy.<\/p>\n