Honduran ex-fiscal Johel Zelaya says investigations into Zelaya family are open, pledges cooperation

Former Honduran Attorney General Johel Zelaya told reporters that, during his tenure, investigation files were opened on Carlos Zelaya and former President Manuel Zelaya. He did not specify the alleged offences, stating only that the dossiers remain in the Ministry's archives and can be consulted by the competent authorities. Zelaya also said he is fully willing to be investigated and will not leave the country, denying any wrongdoing.

His comments come amid the "Barbie Fiscal" scandal, triggered by leaked audio recordings of former fiscal Francia Medina, who was convicted of embezzling about 88 million lempiras. In the recordings, Medina accuses the Zelaya family of links to drug trafficking, allegations Zelaya described as politically motivated. He urged the new Attorney General to handle the case objectively and called for an end to what he called a campaign of defamation.

Zelaya quoted, “Ellos tenían expedientes de investigación y cualquier cosa los expedientes ahí están,” and added, “Estoy a disposición… no voy a salir del país porque no he cometido ningún delito.”