Members of the National Civil Police (PNC) arrested the renowned journalist, president and founder of the morning newspaper El Periódico José Rubén Zamora Marroquín on Friday evening and transferred him to the Court Tower.
ALSO READ:
Nearly 2 million affected by rainfall in Guatemala
The incident came after the winner of one of the King of Spain’s International Journalism Awards in 2021 was searched both at his home and at the newspaper’s offices by security forces agents.
In this sense, Zamora expressed at the time of his arrest that “this is a political persecution”; avoiding that “there must be a conspiracy, a prosecution (…) if that’s the case and you have to pay with jail for love of Guatemala, then let’s go.”
APG condemns the raids on the facilities of @the newspaper and to the home of its President, José Rubén Zamora. These actions are a revenge by Consuelo Porras for the investigation and the public criticism of the media. pic.twitter.com/qBIPcPYDxt
— Association of Guatemalan Journalists (APG) (@APG_1947)
July 30, 2022
For his part, the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity (FECI), Rafael Curruchiche, pointed out that the raids and the arrest of Zamora came on a case that was “under reserve”.
In addition to noting that the arrests of Zamora and Assistant District Attorney Samari Carolina Gómez Díaz corresponded to alleged crimes in their capacity as businessmen; referring to his alleged involvement in the crimes of “laundering money or other assets, extortion, trading in influence, and the crime of suggestion and conspiracy to launder money or other assets”.
So far, Zamora has had a habeas corpus hearing to review his situation; and he has not yet been brought before a judge to establish the real reason for his arrest.
In this regard, the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDH), Jordán Rodas, arrived at the Court Tower to ensure that Zamora’s rights were not violated; and the reason for his capture is revealed; while reporting on several journalists who had to leave the country for security reasons.
Meanwhile, the MP’s former attorney general, Claudia Paz y Paz, said in a forum on the Twitter platform that “criminal law is being applied arbitrarily and abusively. Instrumentalization as a punishment for proving corruption”.
Meanwhile, US Congresswoman of Guatemalan origin Norma Torres; He avoided “that this represents another kick for democracy and the rule of law”.
This position of solidarity with Zamora and El Periódico was also shared by dozens of organizations, journalists, media, governments, politicians, businessmen and civil society leaders.