Guatemalan court drops terrorism charges against deputy minister and Indigenous leaders

The short version

• A Guatemalan judge dismissed terrorism and related charges against Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three fellow Indigenous leaders.[Al Jazeera]
• The case stemmed from demonstrations in October 2023 directed against former Attorney General Consuelo Porras.[Al Jazeera]
• Prosecutors requested the dismissal after concluding from an investigation that the organizers broke no laws.[Al Jazeera]
• The United Nations human rights office said the decision affirms freedoms of expression, assembly, and Indigenous organizing.[Al Jazeera]

Key facts

• Judge Mynor Moto of Guatemala's Third Criminal Court dismissed terrorism charges against Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three other Indigenous leaders.[Al Jazeera]
• Prosecutors sought the dismissal after determining from an inquiry that no laws were violated during the October 2023 protests.[Al Jazeera]
• The prosecution originated under former Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who previously faced international sanctions over corruption allegations.[Al Jazeera]
• The United Nations human rights office declared that the court decision reaffirms assembly rights, expression, and Indigenous organizing.[Al Jazeera]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Guatemalan judge clears deputy minister, three leaders of terrorism chargesAl Jazeera