Guatemala’s highest court has ruled that former dictator Efrain Rios Montt can run for president in November despite a constitutional ban on former coup leaders running for the presidency.

The court ruled the law could not be applied retroactively. Montt seized power in 1982 in a military coup. He has been accused of genocide. An estimated 17,000 political opponents and dissidents were murdered under his rule.

Last week his supporters rioted in the capital city donning ski masks, machetes and hand guns. Mott had warned of more violence if he were not allowed to run.