Guatemala detains renowned journalist on money laundering, blackmail allegations

Police officers escort Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora, founder and president of newspaper El Periodico after being detained by Guatemalan authorities, in Guatemala City, Guatemala July 29, 2022. REUTERS/Luis Echeverria

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemalan authorities arrested a well-known local journalist on accusations of money laundering and blackmail, according to a prosecutor in charge of the case, a move that has sparked outrage among human rights activists.

Jose Ruben Zamora Marroquin, an outspoken government critic, was detained Friday night, said Rafael Curruchiche, head of the Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity (FECI) on social media, after police raided his home and office earlier.