Honduras judge drops abuse of power charges against ex-president

Honduras judge drops 2 charges against ex-leader

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A Honduran judge has dropped abuse of power charges against ousted President Manuel Zelaya. But the order doesn’t affect other charges pending against the ex-leader.

Judge Humberto Palacios says he dismissed two charges because of an amnesty approved by congress in January for Zelaya and all those involved in his removal from power.

Palacios said Friday the charges involved the renting of a building for $1 million a month for the state-run electricity company when Zelaya was president.

Zelaya still faces charges of fraud, usurping other institutions’ powers and falsifying documents.

He was forced out of the country a year ago after ignoring court orders to drop plans for a referendum on changing the constitution.

(This version CORRECTS that rent for building was $1 million a month, rather than per year.)