Guatemala convicts renowned journalist José Rubén Zamora of money laundering

By SONIA PÉREZ D.
Associated Press

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A Guatemalan tribunal has convicted newspaper founder and editor José Rubén Zamora of money laundering, concluding a trial press freedom groups decried as a political persecution aimed at silencing a critical voice. Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei, and specifically his justice system, have been criticized internationally for backsliding on democratic principles and weaponizing the country’s prosecutors and courts to pursue perceived enemies. Giammattei has denied there was any political motivation. Zamora’s El Periodico newspaper was known as fiercely independent and published investigations about corruption in the administrations of Giammattei and his predecessors. Zamora’s work has been internationally recognized. The three-judge panel announced the verdict Wednesday.