A Guatemalan tribunal sentenced newspaper founder and editor José Rubén Zamora to six years in prison Wednesday in a money laundering case, concluding a trial that press freedom groups decried as a political persecution aimed at silencing a critical voice.
The three-judge panel convicted and sentenced Zamora on a charge of money laundering that affected the national economy and stability of the financial system. The tribunal cleared Zamora of additional charges of blackmail and influence peddling.
Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei, and specifically his justice system, have been criticized internationally for backsliding on democratic principles and weaponizing the country’s prosecutors and courts to pursue perceived enemies.
Giammattei has denied there was any political motivation.
Zamora’s El Periodico newspaper was known as fiercely independent and published investigations about corruption in the administrations of Giammattei and his predecessors. Zamora’s work has been internationally recognized.
In his final comments to the court Wednesday before the verdict was announced, Zamora maintained his innocence and called for the court to release him, saying, “all of my rights were violated.” He said the government did not allow him the right to a defense. “They treated us like criminals, they destroyed evidence,” he said.
Several of his defense lawyers were arrested in the run-up to the trial.
The charges stemmed from Zamora, 66, asking a friend to deposit a $38,000 donation to keep the newspaper going rather than depositing it himself. Zamora has said he did so because the donor did not want to be identified supporting an outlet in the sights of Giammattei.
With Zamora in jail, El Periodico was forced to stop publishing a print edition Nov. 30 due to its financial difficulties. The outlet halted operations altogether May 15.
Last month, the Guatemalan Association of Journalists said that at least 20 journalists have been forced to flee the country in recent years.
(AP)
Follow us on:
Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…
A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…
Gatwick Airport's South Terminal was evacuated after a suspected prohibited item was found, prompting bomb…
Trump is considering Kevin Warsh for Treasury Secretary, with a future possibility of him becoming…
Hyundai has recalled 145,235 electrified vehicles in the US. due to potential loss of drive…
View Comments
2007 Sienna CE 1.980m
2006 Sienna XLE 2.550m
2013 Corolla Sport 3.5m
2008 Camry LE 2.350m
2009 Camry LE 2.4m
2015 Lexus GX460 20.4m
2014 Lexus ES350 9.4m
2006 Corolla Manual N1.580m
2009 Acura MDX 4.6m
08 Benz C300 3.850m
07 Benz GL450 5.7m
08 Benz GL550 5.8m
2004 Rav4 1.850m
Awoof 04 Pilot N1.750m
2007 Pilot 2.4m EX
2009 Highlander sport 4.8m
2011 Highlander Limited 6.2m
2010 Rav4 EX Rev Camera + Thumbstart@ 4.3m
08 Honda Accord N2.4m
2010 Camry XLE 3.2m V4
2013 Honda Accord 4.5m
2014 Honda Accord N4.7m
Toks 2009 Avalon 3.3m
2014 Toyota Avalon Ltd N8.8m
06 Lexus GX470 N5.1m
07 Lexus IS250 3.2m
08 Lexus GS350 3.9m
08 Lexus RX350 2.7m
2010 4runner N9m
2014 Corolla N5.4m
2016 Corolla N5.6m
2013 Camry LE 4.2m
2013 Camry Sport 4.6m
2010 Benz GLK350 N6.2m
2016 Benz CLA250 12.4m
2015 AMG Gwagon 37.4m
2016 Toyota Prado 21.2m
2015 Lexus NX200L 16.4m
Buy, Swap & Sell your Cars @ NCS
WhatsApp: O7O 4540 6674 }