Guatemalan prosecutor asks for 40 years in prison for journalist José Rubén Zamora

José Rúben Zamora arrives at the hearing in a trial against him in Guatemala City on May 30. David Toro (EFE)

Guatemala's Attorney General's Office has called for 40 years in prison against journalist José Rubén Zamora, who faces a trial for money laundering and other crimes that has reached the final stretch. Prosecutor Cinthia Monterroso has made the request to the judge in charge of the process, Oly González, alleging that the 66-year-old journalist tried to launder at least $ 37,500, whose origin the authorities claim was illicit and "product of blackmail and extortion." Zamora has denied those accusations throughout the process and assures that they lack support. "I had never been in a trial, this would be my first sentence and they want to give me 40 years in prison," Zamora said after hearing the request of the prosecution. Judge González must establish in the coming days the date on which she will establish the sentence.

The trial against Zamora has lasted 28 days, in which the judicial authorities have tried to prove the crimes against him. The journalist has declared himself innocent from the beginning and has accused that the process is a political persecution directed by President Alejandro Giammattei. Prosecutor Monterroso has asked in her allegations for 20 years in prison for Zamora for money laundering, eight years for blackmail and 12 for influence peddling. "In the money laundering case, the prosecutor made inferences because she could not prove that there was an illicit act," Zamora has alleged.

The trial against the journalist has generated a barrage of criticism from journalists' organizations and human rights defenders, who allege that it is a serious blow to freedom of the press and expression in Guatemala. Zamora is the founder of the newspaper elPeriódico, which since 1996 became one of the most respected newspapers in the Central American country, for its combative and investigative journalism, which have earned him several international recognitions. Since Zamora was detained by authorities at his home last summer, the newspaper he founded has been in a critical financial situation, which led to its closure in mid-May. The newspaper published its last front page on the Internet with a message that was a declaration of intent: "We say no to power." Eight journalists and columnists for the newspaper are also being investigated by authorities for trying to obstruct the money laundering investigation.

Zamora has had to face throughout the process a race of obstacles, which include the persecution and detention of four of his lawyers, accused by the justice of obstruction in the trial, so the journalist has had to go to a fourth group of defenders. In addition, Zamora has claimed that he has not received all the documents related to his case, which affects his defense. He has also denounced the poor conditions he suffers in prison, including lack of water and restrictions on receiving visitors. The journalist has assured since he was arrested nine months ago that he is innocent and that it is "a set-up" and a "political trial" against him. "I have the right to my freedom of expression," Zamora said after hearing the prosecution's request against him.

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