Honduran court paves way for Zelaya's return

A Honduran court on Monday dismissed the last two remaining charges against former President Manuel Zelaya, which could pave the way for his return to the country.

A special appeals court panel dismissed charges of fraud and falsifying documents that were lodged against Zelaya after the June 2009 coup. His ouster provoked strong condemnation across the region and led the Organization of American States to expel Honduras from the group. But OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza said in a statement from Washington on Monday that "this puts an end to the uncertainty over the former president's legal situation."

"The main condition for Honduras' return to the organization has been fulfilled," he wrote in the statement. "I will immediately begin consultation with the member states to examine their willingness to call an assembly to consider the issue."

Most countries re-established relations with Honduras after Porfirio Lobo took office in January 2010.

Federal prosecutors said they will appeal the court decision within the 60-day time period by law. Zelaya has said he won't return from the Dominican Republic, where he lives, because he fears for his life. In an interview with a Honduran radio station, Zelaya claimed that "there are people who are still alive and want to liquidate me, and they have great power."