GUATEMALA CITY — An appellate court in Guatemala made a significant decision on Friday by reversing the previous ruling that had allowed journalist José Rubén Zamora to be released from prison. Instead, the court mandated that Zamora return to incarceration.

Zamora, who is the founder of the prominent El Periódico newspaper, had been incarcerated for over two years while waiting for his trial. In October, a judge had granted him house arrest, but this decision was challenged by prosecutors. Following the appeal, the court ruled that the 68-year-old journalist must continue his detention while the legal proceedings unfold.

He was originally arrested in July 2022 on charges of money laundering, involving approximately $38,000. In June 2023, he received a six-year prison sentence; however, this ruling was later overturned by an appellate court due to procedural errors. Zamora is currently in a state of limbo as he awaits further decisions regarding a possible retrial.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities faced by journalists in Guatemala, particularly in the context of legal battles and press freedom concerns.