Guatemala Journalist Jose Ruben Zamora, Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison Following Money Laundering Case

Newspaper founder and Guatemala journalist Jose Ruben Zamora has been sentenced to six years in prison by a Guatemalan tribunal in a money laundering case, according to AP.

The verdict comes after a trial that press freedom groups have condemned as a politically motivated effort to silence a critical voice.

The three-judge panel found the prominent journalist guilty of money laundering, citing its impact on the national economy and the financial system's stability. However, Zamora was cleared of charges related to blackmail and influence peddling.

Criticism has been directed at Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and his justice system for allegedly eroding democratic principles and exploiting prosecutors and courts to target perceived opponents.

Following his sentencing, Zamora maintained his innocence and accused Giammattei of corruption. The president, however, has denied any political motive behind the case.

Jose Ruben Zamora Calls His Case 'Political Persecution'

Zamora firmly maintains that the case against him resulted from "political persecution" orchestrated by Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei, per Reuters.

The persecution is linked to his newspaper, elPeriodico, which ceased operations in May, as it had been reporting on alleged corruption involving the president and his close allies, according to Zamora.

In addition to the six-year prison sentence, Zamora has been ordered to pay a fine of 300,000 quetzals ($38,339). However, he plans to appeal the verdict and may take the case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Despite the outcome, Zamora expressed satisfaction, describing the sentence as arbitrary. He maintained his innocence and reiterated his accusations against President Giammattei, referring to him as a thief. Zamora's resolve to defend his integrity and criticize the president remains steadfast.

The verdict has sparked concerns about the implications for independent journalism and freedom of expression. Brian Nichols, the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, expressed his worries on Twitter, stating that the world will closely monitor Zamora's safety and well-being.

Zamora's significant contribution to Guatemalan media includes the founding of elPeriodico in 1996, which became known for its investigative reporting and critical stance on societal issues.

Guatemala Journalist Jose Ruben Zamora Has 2 Other Cases

In addition to the recent conviction and sentencing, Al Jazeera noted that the renowned Guatemala journalist still faces two other ongoing criminal cases.

One of these cases is related to alleged discrepancies in signatures on customs documents. Interestingly, this case was filed shortly before the sentencing.

The trial concluded on Wednesday and was relatively brief, spanning only 11 sessions over 20 days. However, its rapid pace and the nature of the accusations have raised significant concerns and garnered widespread condemnation.

Ahead of the conviction, Zamora's son, Jose Zamora, expressed unwavering support for his father, emphasizing his belief in his innocence.

He denounced the handling of the case, asserting that the Guatemalan state has essentially abducted his father and subjected him to a process that flagrantly violates his right to due process.

While the public prosecutor's office has consistently maintained that the case against Zamora is unrelated to his journalistic activities, critics argue that the allegations and the swift trial suggest otherwise.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: "Doing Journalism Is a Crime": Guatemalan Publisher José Rubén Zamora Faces 40 Years Behind Bars - From Democracy Now!