Guatemala’s Supreme Court Rejects Journalist Zamora's Appeal for Release
José Rubén Zamora remains in custody following a Supreme Court decision to uphold lower court orders amidst allegations he deems politically motivated.
Guatemala’s Supreme Court has denied an appeal from journalist José Rubén Zamora aimed at overturning a recent ruling that returned him to jail from house arrest.
The decision, announced on Thursday, means the 68-year-old journalist will continue facing incarceration as he has for over 800 days.
This legal development arises from two cases initiated in 2022 by the Prosecutor’s Office, which critics, including international human rights organizations, regard as an infringement on press freedom.
President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala has expressed criticism towards the legal actions against Zamora but lacks authority to intervene in the Prosecutor’s Office, which has accused the journalist of money laundering, blackmail, and obstruction of justice.
In its statement, the Court’s Appeals Chamber indicated that it had “unanimously resolved to definitively suspend” Zamora’s defense appeals.
This came after an appellate court annulled his house arrest, and it was determined that the proper procedure involving further review by the original court was not followed by Zamora’s legal team.
In a ruling issued on March 10, a judge had mandated Zamora’s return to prison based on actions taken by the Prosecutor’s Office and complaints from the plaintiff, the far-right Foundation against Terrorism.
His legal woes have gained international attention, particularly due to his work with the newspaper El Periódico, where he reported extensively on corruption involving former president Alejandro Giammattei during his tenure from 2020 to 2024.
Zamora’s imprisonment has led to widespread criticism, particularly after the closure of El Periódico in 2023, coinciding with his incarceration.
In June 2023, a court initially sentenced Zamora to six years in prison for money laundering; however, this sentence was subsequently annulled, necessitating a retrial.
His son, José Zamora, described the Appeals Chamber's decision as “terrible,” asserting that it appears to aim at unlawfully prolonging his father's detention, comments made from his location in the United States where he currently resides in exile.
The decision, announced on Thursday, means the 68-year-old journalist will continue facing incarceration as he has for over 800 days.
This legal development arises from two cases initiated in 2022 by the Prosecutor’s Office, which critics, including international human rights organizations, regard as an infringement on press freedom.
President Bernardo Arévalo of Guatemala has expressed criticism towards the legal actions against Zamora but lacks authority to intervene in the Prosecutor’s Office, which has accused the journalist of money laundering, blackmail, and obstruction of justice.
In its statement, the Court’s Appeals Chamber indicated that it had “unanimously resolved to definitively suspend” Zamora’s defense appeals.
This came after an appellate court annulled his house arrest, and it was determined that the proper procedure involving further review by the original court was not followed by Zamora’s legal team.
In a ruling issued on March 10, a judge had mandated Zamora’s return to prison based on actions taken by the Prosecutor’s Office and complaints from the plaintiff, the far-right Foundation against Terrorism.
His legal woes have gained international attention, particularly due to his work with the newspaper El Periódico, where he reported extensively on corruption involving former president Alejandro Giammattei during his tenure from 2020 to 2024.
Zamora’s imprisonment has led to widespread criticism, particularly after the closure of El Periódico in 2023, coinciding with his incarceration.
In June 2023, a court initially sentenced Zamora to six years in prison for money laundering; however, this sentence was subsequently annulled, necessitating a retrial.
His son, José Zamora, described the Appeals Chamber's decision as “terrible,” asserting that it appears to aim at unlawfully prolonging his father's detention, comments made from his location in the United States where he currently resides in exile.
