Politics Former newspaper boss released from custody in Guatemala after more than 800 days
After more than 800 days in prison, a prominent journalist and former newspaper boss in Guatemala has been released to house arrest. During the ongoing trial for obstruction of justice against José Rubén Zamora, the permissible period of pre-trial detention was exceeded, the judge in charge justified the decision, as reported by the Central American country's media. Head of state Bernardo Arévalo welcomed the decision.
19.10.2024, 07:53
SDA
The human rights organization Amnesty International is demanding the final release of the 68-year-old journalist. It regards him as a "prisoner of conscience" who was targeted by the state power apparatus because he followed his conscience. "The Guatemalan authorities must immediately end the abuse of the criminal justice system to harass, intimidate and punish journalists, human rights defenders, judges and prosecutors," demanded the organization's Americas department on Platform X.
In July 2022, the founder of the independent newspaper "El Periódico" was also charged with money laundering and extortion. However, Zamora himself assumes that the conservative government of President Alejandro Giammattei, who was voted out of office in 2023, had him prosecuted more for his reporting on corruption.
Guatemala is ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the press freedom ranking compiled by Reporters Without Borders. In November, the organization presented Zamora with the Press Freedom Award.
