They overturned the prison sentence of journalist José Ruben Zamora Marogu in Guatemala.

An Appellate Chamber Guatemala Abolished the sentence against the journalist Jose Ruben Zamora Marroquin and ordered Repeat the judicial process It was discovered last June that he had laundered money.

Ramón Zamora, the son of Zamora Marrógu, confirmed this Friday that the sentence handed down yesterday by the Second Appeals Chamber of the Guatemalan Judiciary was overturned.

“Now we hope we can have a fair trial where his right to self-defense is respected,” Zamora Marogu’s son said.

A 66-year-old communicator On June 12, he was sentenced to six years in prison past, for A case of alleged money laundering.

He was arrested on July 29, 2022, five days after he reinforced allegations of corruption in El Periodico, a media outlet he owns in the current president’s inner circle. Alejandro Giamattei.

The court’s decision follows a request by the Attorney General’s Office and Zamora Marogu, forcing the journalist to face a new legal process for further intimidation and other crimes.

The capture in 2022 and the conviction of Zamora Marogu in 2023 were heavily criticized both nationally and internationally.

The journalist has been one of the most critical of the governments in power since its inception Newspaper In 1996, with hundreds of corruption investigations.

During the criminal proceedings against him, Zamora denounced Marroquin Violation of Your Right to Defense And he was forced to change lawyers seven times because four of his defenders were charged with different crimes.

In 2021, Zamora Marroquin inherited from King Felipe VI of Spain. Award for Best Media in Ibero-AmericaThat is for investigative work Newspaper It ran for nearly 30 years, until it closed on May 15.

Two years ago, communicator Giamatte and the head of the Attorney General and Ministry of Public Affairs pledged publicly. Consuelo BorasThey will try to fabricate a case against him to silence his media inquiries.

Accused of trying to reverse the results of this year’s elections, Porras has been under intense pressure since October 2, when thousands of people in Guatemala demonstrated to demand his resignation.

In his last court appearance before sentencing in June, Zamora reiterated his innocence And his rights were violated, particularly to self-defense and due process, when he met with a court-appointed defense attorney minutes before the trial began.

“I am asking the court to release me and give me freedom because the Ministry of Public Affairs cannot prove (the charges),” Zamora said.

(with information from EFE)