Honduran court clears army generals linked to coup

(AP) TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Honduras’ Supreme Court has cleared six army generals accused of toppling former president Manuel Zelaya and flying him to Costa Rica in 2009.

The Supreme Court voted 12-3 to reject abuse of authority charges againts now-retired Gens. Romeo Vasquez, Luis Prince, Venancio Cervantes, Miguel Garcia, Juan Pablo Rodriguez and Carlos Cuellar.

The court said in a news release Thursday that all six have been released from detention.

Soldiers escorted the left-leaning Zelaya out of Honduras in June 2009 after he defied a Supreme Court order to drop plans to hold a referendum on reforming the constitution.

Zelaya says the court decision is "unjust" but expected.

He says "it’s bothersome that those behind the coup are being protected."

(This version CORRECTS byline)