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Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, the government’s chief critic led by Alejandro Giammattei, was sentenced this Wednesday to six years in prison on charges of money laundering
Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, the government’s chief critic led by Alejandro Giammattei, was sentenced this Wednesday to six years in prison on charges of money laundering in a process that was reportedly fraught with irregularities.
Zamora Marroquín was sentenced to six years in prison for money laundering while he was acquitted of crimes of blackmail and influence peddling by the Eighth Judgment Court of the Guatemalan Judiciary, presided over by Judge Oli González.
The court reasoned its decision by the fact that, according to the testimony given during the debate, the journalist imitated a “commercial deal” with give a “legitimate appearance” to the amount of 300 thousand quetzals (655 thousand Mexican pesos), the origin of which is “not established”.
Journalist, Founder and President of the Investigative Environment Newspaperuncovered investigations corruption and bribery involving Giammatteiuntil his capture on 29 July.
In a small courtroom in Guatemala filled with dozens of journalists and human rights activists, after 40 days of oral and public debate, the verdict on Samora Marroquin was read.
The court explained that, according to its analysis, the journalist gave the quetzales to former banker Ronald Garcia Navarigio so that he could write him a check for that amount and thus be able to add it to his media account to pay his unpaid wages. .
“His quality as an actor influencing the economy and financial system of Guatemala was proved because the defendant failed to prove the legal origin of the money,” said Judge Hugo Otto Walvert.
In addition, the judges decided to acquit Samora Marroquin of the crimes of blackmail and influence peddling, two crimes for which he was charged by the Ministry of Public Administration.
“Prosecution failed to prove that the defendant committed the crime of blackmail and influence peddling,” the court said, adding that the prosecution against Samora Marroquin did not determine the place and time where the crimes were alleged to have been committed.
Upon learning of the verdict, Samora Marroquin assured: “Despite the arbitrariness, I am happy because two crimes have been withdrawn.”
Likewise, the journalist added that he continues to “be innocent and President Giammattei is a thief.”when he was interrogated by journalists about a message he sent to the country’s authorities.
The court acquitted former anti-corruption prosecutor Samari Gomez, whom prosecutors accused of providing confidential information to Samora Marroquín, of crimes of influence.
According to the verdict, read out by the Eighth Court this Wednesday, former prosecutor Gomez will be able to leave prison immediately.
Zamora Marroquín is due to serve a 6-year prison sentence in a prison located in the Mariscal Zavala military barracks in northern Guatemala City, where dozens of former politicians whom the journalist accused of corruption in his media.
During the 10-month criminal process, international organizations such as the Inter-American Press Association (SIP) warned of irregularities in the case.
The Guatemalan journalist was not allowed to present the defense papers he presented in his own defence, and the witnesses that his defense offered to debate were not allowed to participate.
Samora Marroquin said that four of the lawyers who defended him during the trial were charged and prosecuted by the prosecutor’s office, while two others were forced to leave the country due to threats.
The journalist will also have to sue for obstruction of prosecution and for alleged falsification of immigration documents.
On June 21, the Eighth Judgment Court will hold a fair redress hearing for Zamora Marroquin.
Between 2018 and 2023, at least 30 journalists and bailiffs in Guatemala went into exile, claiming criminal prosecution against them. EFE
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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