Jailed Guatemalan journalist to AP: 'I can defend myself, because I am innocent'
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — José Rubén Zamora has spent nearly two years locked in a dark 16- by 13-foot cell in a Guatemalan prison, allowed only one hour a day in the sunlight.
The journalist’s money laundering conviction was tossed out, and last week a judge finally ordered his conditional release to await a new trial. But the 67-year-old founder of the newspaper El Periodico never made it out. Two more cases against him include detention orders.
In a jail house interview Tuesday, Zamora told The Associated Press that he had heard he would be arrested in July 2022 a week before agents came for him. But, he said, “it never crossed my mind to flee. I have to face justice because I can defend myself, because I am innocent.”
International press freedom organizations have labeled Zamora’s arrest and detention a political prosecution. Zamora concurs. He contends his legal problems were engineered by former President Alejandro Giammattei, who appeared many times in the pages of El Periodico accused of corruption.
Related articles
Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea after one year as manager of the Premier League club
Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent, the Premier League club said Tuesday.Pochett2024-05-22Apple CEO highlights Chinese supplier's contribution to carbon emission reduction
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, highlighted that the company's Chinese suppliers have made a significant con2024-05-22Palestinian artist reveals violence against women in Gaza through paintings
People visit an exhibition of Palestinian artist Kholoud al-Dasooqi in Gaza City, on Aug. 11, 2020.2024-05-22Villagers rehearse dragon and lion dance in Andi Village, Shanxi
Villagers rehearse in Andi Village, Lingqiu County, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 25, 2021. Pe2024-05-22Garcia, Winker go deep as Nats end slide, beat struggling Twins 12
WASHINGTON (AP) — Luis García Jr. homered and drove in three runs, Eddie Rosario also had three RBIs2024-05-22Egyptian builds China's Temple of Heaven with 22,000 matchsticks
Ahmed Hassan builds a miniature of the Temple of Heaven with matchsticks in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 262024-05-22
atest comment