Rios Montt supporters launch campaign to deny genocide in Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY – A group of retired soldiers and their relatives have launched a campaign to deny that a genocide occurred in Guatemala.

About 24 people began collecting 5,000 signatures Monday in support of their campaign outside the Supreme Court's building, where strongman Jose Efrain Rios Montt is being tried on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The protesters are holding signs that read "There was no genocide here" as speakers blasted Guatemala's national anthem and military marches.

Retired army Gen. Victor Argueta, president of an association of war veterans, says they plan to collect signatures throughout the country and turn them in to the Supreme Court so there is "a fair trial according to the law and to prove there was no genocide here."