Guatemalan Journalist Granted House Arrest, But Remains in Prison for Other Legal Proceedings Against Corruption Exposer

On Wednesday, journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín was granted house arrest by a Guatemalan court. However, he will remain in prison as he faces two other legal proceedings for alleged obstruction of justice. The decision was made by the Ninth Sentencing Court of the Guatemalan Judicial Branch, citing the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) and local regulations.

Judge Veronica Ruiz endorsed the measure based on Zamora Marroquín’s case history and expressed that there was no risk of him fleeing or interfering in the ongoing case. Zamora Marroquín, who was recently awarded the Gabo 2024 Award for his work in uncovering corruption in Guatemala, thanked his colleagues in the region and saw the award as a recognition for the entire region.

Despite facing irregularities in the judicial processes against him, including being denied evidence and frequent changes in legal representation, Zamora Marroquín remains determined to fight for justice. He will continue to be held at the Mariscal Zavala military barracks as he awaits potential alternative measures in his other cases.

Zamora Marroquín’s dedication to exposing government corruption in Guatemala has led to legal battles and challenges, but he remains steadfast in his pursuit of accountability and justice. His work has not only shed light on corrupt practices but has also sparked conversations about the need for transparency and integrity in government institutions.