Defense of the former President of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernandez (2014–2022) asked the federal court in New York, where he will be sentenced on Wednesday for drug trafficking, to impose sanctions on the former president, who faces life in prison, sentence to 40 years in prison.

His lawyer Renato Stabile, court-appointed, proposed this Saturday to Judge Kevin Castel of the federal court for the Southern District of New York, who is presiding over the case, maximum sentence of 40 years for his client.

“Hernandez is 55 years old, so a 40-year sentence equates to one life,” He said so in a lengthy 159-page document that is accompanied by a letter from Hernandez to a federal judge in which he maintains his innocence and exposes the “mistakes,” “failures” and “injustices” he believes were committed during the trial. against him. .

On March 8, Hernandez was announced found guilty by jury on three counts of drug and weapons trafficking. after a trial that lasted just over two weeks.

The lawyer’s letter also states that the court should not impose on his client “additional punishment, for this reason, and also for his hard life for the benefit of the people of Honduras.”

“The 40-year sentence will meet sentencing objectives.” in the sentencing guidelines.

Stable He confirms to Judge Castel his client’s innocence. and lists the reasons on which it is based, which he presented at trial, including statements by drug traffickers who, according to the former president, only wanted revenge for being persecuted and extradited to the United States.

Hernandez’s lawyer also recalled that with their testimony against the former president, these witnesses They sought a reduced sentence who serve in US prisons.

He assures the judge that the former President of Honduras will move forward to “clear his name” in a “constitutionally fair” trial.

For his part, Hernandez told the judge who will decide his future that he has been charged and convicted. “unfair and wrong.”

Moreover, he assures that he, his family, and the sovereignty of Honduras were target of attack “due to conspiracy” against him organized criminal groups.

“Investigation and trial against me full of mistakes, injustices “This has become a lynching in this country’s justice system,” he said, blaming prosecutors and agents for not doing their job properly to let the truth be known.

In his letter, he repeated failures that he believed were evident during his trial, among which he mentioned that prosecutors and the DEA did not investigate or mention this during his time as President of Honduras. It has ceased to be the main route for drug trafficking from South America to Mexico. heading to the United States.

“Judge Castel, the truth is that when I was President of the National Congress and then President of the Republic, extraordinary and historic decisions were taken in Honduras. reduce and stop drug traffickingand approval of extradition, police purges and airspace protection laws, among other actions that have led to a reduction in violence and crime,” he reiterated.

Letters from Stabile and Hernandez are accompanied by extensive evidence such as articles published in various media about actions taken under his government to combat drug trafficking, a copy of DEA documents on the extradition of Honduran drug traffickers under Hernandez’s leadership, photographs, among other things, to support his claim of innocence.

(EFE)