GUATEMALA CITY — Journalist José Rubén Zamora was sent back to jail on Monday after an appellate court overturned his house arrest in response to an appeal by prosecutors.
Zamora, who founded the El Periódico newspaper, initially spent over two years in prison awaiting trial before receiving house arrest in October. Prosecutors contested this decision, and their appeals were upheld both in November and again this week.
Zamora, aged 68, had been detained since July 2022 on charges of money laundering involving approximately $38,000. Initially sentenced to six years in prison in June 2023, an appeals court later overturned the judgement, citing procedural errors.
He and supporters of press freedom argue that the legal proceedings against him were retaliatory, targeting the investigative journalism conducted by his newspaper against the former administration of ex-President Alejandro Giammattei.
President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office after Giammattei, expressed disapproval of the prosecution’s actions before the court’s recent ruling. “It is an entirely unfounded case that highlights the systemic issues in our justice system and underscores the Attorney General’s Office’s tactics against anti-corruption crusaders,” Arévalo remarked.
Prosecutors maintained that Zamora could potentially flee, despite his compliance with the conditions of his house arrest since October. “I am here, attending hearings and fulfilling requirements by presenting at the prosecutor’s office,” commented Zamora as police escorted him back to detention.
Amnesty International criticized the judicial decision, advocating for Zamora’s release. “His re-imprisonment is solely due to his role in investigative journalism and his outspokenness against corruption,” stated Ana Piquer, Latin America director for the organization.
