A Guatemalan newspaper recognized for hard-hitting investigations of presidency corruption and whose founder is at present on trial, has introduced that it’s going to shut down
BySONIA PÉREZ D. Related Press
GUATEMALA CITY — A Guatemalan newspaper recognized for hard-hitting investigations of presidency corruption and whose founder is at present on trial, introduced Friday that it’s going to shut down.
El Periódico had stopped its print version in November, however had continued to publish as a digital outlet.
José Rubén Zamora is on trial for cash laundering and different expenses, allegations he has mentioned have been trumped as much as silence an unbiased media outlet that has been important of President Alejandro Giammattei’s administration.
El Periódico will stop to publish Might 15, the information outlet mentioned in a press release.
Prosecutors accuse Zamora of cash laundering associated to a deposit of about $30,000 he requested another person to make for him. Zamora’s kinfolk have mentioned it was a donation from a supporter to cowl the day-to-day prices of the paper after promoting fell off below authorities stress. Zamora has mentioned he didn’t deposit the cash within the newspaper’s account as a result of the donor didn’t need to be recognized.
Along with Zamora, 9 different journalists and columnists from El Periódico are below investigation for alleged obstruction of justice.
“Our crew resisted 287 days of persecution, political and financial stress,” El Periódico mentioned in reference to the time since Zamora was jailed final 12 months.
The Guatemalan Affiliation of Journalists and human rights activists have known as the case a politically motivated marketing campaign in opposition to Zamora due to his anti-corruption efforts.
The New York-based Committee to Shield Journalists mentioned Friday the announcement comes after 10 months of judicial harassment of the newspaper, its founder and journalists.
“The Guatemalan authorities is liable for this example,” Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ program director mentioned.