A prosecutor in Guatemala requested a courtroom Monday to carry the immunity of one of many candidates in June presidential elections, as a result of the candidate had requested a few decide’s motive in prosecuting journalists.
Candidates in Guatemala usually have immunity from being prosecuted whereas they’re operating, to make sure free elections.
However on Monday authorities prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche requested the nation’s Supreme Court docket to carry the immunity of candidate Edmond Mulet, as a result of Mulet had requested for an investigation right into a decide.
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It was the newest chapter through which Guatemala prosecutors have gone after journalists, politicians, former prosecutors and judges for having investigated corruption inside the federal government and judicial system.
Consultants, opponents and international governments say that, as an alternative of going after corruption, prosecutors in Guatemala at the moment are going after those that denounce it.
“Let’s have a look at if this loopy, completely unjustified request made by the prosecutor is upheld by the Supreme Court docket or not,” Mulet mentioned Monday. “We’ll carry on on this technique of combating corruption and shortsightedness.”
Mulet, who often locations third or fourth in polls of the presidential candidates, is the one considered one of them who requested for an investigation of Decide Jimi Bremer.
In February, Bremer ordered the investigation of 9 journalists from a newspaper whose president, a distinguished authorities critic, has already been jailed on varied costs since final 12 months.
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Bremer mentioned journalists from El Periodico newspaper must be positioned underneath investigation to find out whether or not they had been maliciously pursuing prosecutors, judges and different members of Guatemala’s justice system.
Prime prosecutor Cinthia Monterroso had argued that El Periodico printed tales about complaints, disciplinary processes and questioned choices by justice officers, together with herself. She mentioned who ordered such tales and the sources of their financing have to be investigated.
The U.S. authorities has sharply criticized the weakening of anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala underneath President Alejandro Giammattei.
Some 30 judges, magistrates and prosecutors concerned within the investigation or processing of these corruption instances have been pressured to flee the nation after going through authorized motion underneath the present administration.
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