Guatemala journalist José Carlos Zamora faces possible return to prison

Guatemalan Supreme Court judges will hold a public hearing to consider prosecutors' request that journalist José Carlos Zamora be sent back to prison. The Ministry of Public Prosecutor's Office, still operating under former chief prosecutor Consuelo Porras, argues that Zamora’s liberty could facilitate actions that obstruct justice in a conspiracy case. Zamora, 69, was detained on 29 July 2022 after publishing criticism of President Alejandro Giammattei and has faced three criminal cases brought by the Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity, which was overseen by Rafael Curruchiche until his dismissal in May. The court has at least 15 days after the hearing to rule on the appeal and will also decide a related cassation request concerning whether his trial should be repeated or altered.