The hearing against José Rubén Zamora resumes in Guatemala

(CNN Spanish) — The journalist and businessman José Rubén Zamora and the assistant prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI) Samari Gómez were transferred this Monday to the Court Tower under a strong security device to resume the hearing against them suspended the previous Wednesday.

The Public Ministry of Guatemala accuses Zamora for the crimes of money laundering, blackmail, proposition and conspiracy for money laundering and influence peddling.

Upon his arrival in court, Zamora said that there is no evidence against him and reiterated that the accusation of money laundering is political.

“I have always said that the system cannot fight impunity and corruption because corruption and impunity are the system. However, I think that there are good judges, that there are excellent police officers, I believe that since 1996 in the peace accords the police have become very professional and I hope the judges have the same evolution. In addition, they are cases that have no basis, since November they wanted to do this by starting with unilateral hearings, “he declared.

Meanwhile, Gómez is linked to the same case and is singled out for disclosing confidential or reserved information. The defendant, she has also denied the charges against her and she has pleaded not guilty.

Who is Jose Ruben Zamora?

José Rubén Zamora is a renowned Guatemalan journalist known for being the director of the newspaper El Periódico. He founded the medium in 1996.

For years, Human Rights Watch has denounced threats, attacks, and intimidation of several Guatemalan journalists, including Zamora, 65.

Zamora has received several awards during his career, such as the recognition of Hero of Freedom of the Press that the International Institute of the Press gave him in 2000.

With information from Kiarinna Parisi, Sergio Oseguera, David Von Blohn, Karol Suárez and Ana Cucalón.