‘Severe fair trial violations’ reported in José Rubén Zamora’s case
Mexico City, February 5, 2024—A report released Monday by TrialWatch assigned a failing grade to the legal proceedings in the trial of award-winning Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora, citing numerous breaches of international and regional fair-trial standards and concluding that the prosecution and conviction of Zamora are likely retaliatory measures for his investigative journalism. The…
CPJ urges Guatemalan authorities to ensure a fair trial for José Rubén Zamora in 2024
São Paulo, November 9, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Guatemalan authorities to respect journalist José Rubén Zamora’s right to a fair trial in his retrial, which a Guatemala court on Monday scheduled for February 5, 2024. “Jose Rubén Zamora has endured detention and punitive legal proceedings simply because he dared to report on…
Tipping the scales: Journalists’ lawyers face retaliation around the globe
The smears began the day Christian Ulate began representing jailed Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora: tweets accusing the lawyer of being a leftist or questioning his legal credentials. He began to fear he was being surveilled. Ulate had taken over the case in August 2022 from two other lawyers, Romeo Montoya García and Mario Castañeda,…
Guatemalan journalists Edin Alonso and Hugo Gutiérrez shot and killed
Guatemala City, August 15, 2023 — Guatemalan authorities must thoroughly investigate the killings of journalists Edin Alonso and Hugo Gutiérrez, determine if they were targeted for their work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On August 11, unidentified attackers shot and killed both journalists while they were riding…
One-year anniversary of José Rubén Zamora’s imprisonment reignites calls for journalist’s release amid deteriorating press freedom in Guatemala
Zamora’s son, civil society organizations seek the journalist’s freedom and respect for the rule of law Washington, D.C., July 27, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reiterated its urgent call for the release of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora at a press conference on Wednesday marking a year since Zamora’s imprisonment in Guatemala. “José Rubén…
Guatemala: The imprisonment of José Rubén Zamora is an attack on the press and a bellwether for democracy
14 organizations call for justice in Zamora’s case and respect for the rule of law Over the past year, the government of President Alejandro Giammattei has engaged in desperate attempts to criminalize journalism in Guatemala. Among the lowest points of this campaign has been the imprisonment and sentencing of prominent investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora….
CPJ to hold press conference on José Rubén Zamora and Guatemala’s criminalization of journalists
Washington, D.C., July 21, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 26, to mark the one-year anniversary of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora’s imprisonment. Speakers will include Zamora’s son and a Guatemalan journalist in exile. Zamora, founder of the independent investigative newspaper elPeriódico, was arrested on July 29,…
Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora convicted of money laundering, sentenced to 6 years in prison
Guatemala City, June 14, 2023–In response to the Wednesday, June 14, conviction of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora on money laundering charges, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement of condemnation: “The shameful conviction and imprisonment of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora serve as a stark testament to the erosion of freedom of…
Guatemalan newspaper elPeriódico closes under government pressure
New York, May 15, 2023—In response to the announcement that the independent Guatemalan newspaper elPeriódico would cease online publication on Monday, May 15, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “The decision of the elPeriódico newspaper to cease publication is the result of the President Alejandro Giammattei administration’s judicial and financial harassment of…
CPJ calls for Guatemala to halt investigation into elPeriódico journalists
Guatemala City, February 28, 2023 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday called on Guatemalan authorities to stop any investigation of columnists and employees of elPeriódico newspaper, release its president José Rubén Zamora unconditionally, and allow the newspaper’s staff to work freely. Judge Jimi Bremer, acting on a request by prosecutor Cinthya Monterroso of…