In a recent ruling, a Guatemalan judge ordered prominent journalist Jose Ruben Zamora to return to Mariscal Zavala prison after the court revoked his house arrest.
Judge Erick Garcia issued the decision following a hearing in which Zamora, 67, appeared and described the revocation as arbitrary.
He faces a pending trial on money‑laundering charges, a case that press‑freedom advocates say is politically motivated.
Lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher voiced concern that the proceedings represent a breakdown of the rule of law in Guatemala.
Gallagher described the revocation as legally problematic, grossly unfair, and inhumane.
During the hearing, Zamora said he felt cornered, claiming the judge and staff had been threatened by unnamed individuals.
Zamora founded the newspaper elPeriodico in 1996, known for investigative reporting on corruption across multiple governments.
In 2022, authorities arrested him and froze the newspaper’s assets, leading to its shutdown in 2023.
A court sentenced Zamora to six years in prison on money‑laundering charges, but an appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial for 2025.
Prior to the revocation, Zamora had spent more than 800 days in prison before a court granted him house arrest in October.
After a subsequent court in November revoked the house arrest, his lawyers were able to postpone the order for several months.
The attorney general, Maria Consuelo Porras, has faced scrutiny for actions perceived as undermining democratic processes.
Gallagher noted that conditions in the prison were inhumane and degrading, and that Zamora’s health had improved while under house arrest.
Nine press‑freedom and rights groups called for Zamora’s immediate release, urging authorities to ensure a fair and impartial trial free from undue interference.
Zamora’s case exemplifies a broader trend of prolonged, politically motivated legal proceedings against journalists worldwide.
Gallagher, who represents other high‑profile journalists such as Jimmy Lai and Maria Ressa, highlighted the impact of extended detention on international responses.
She remarked that prolonged legal processes serve to keep journalists in prison while dampening global attention.
