CFWIJ and WPF applauds the court's decision to sentence former commissioner Ceferino Salquil Solval, along with police officers Olga Leticia Segura and Mirna Marleny Agustín, to 3 years and 9 months for the unlawful arrest of community journalist Norma Sancir.

CFWIJ and WPF welcomes the recent decision of the Fifth Criminal Court in Guatemala, which has effectively halted the criminal prosecution of journalists from elPeriódico.

El Periódico newspaper staffer Flora Silva was detained earlier this week after the police raided her home.

The court dismissed the charges of sedition against the indigenous journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, arrested in September 2020 and accused of participating in demonstrations in the city of Joyabaj, Guatemala. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) welcomes Anastasia’s acquittal, after a year of imprisonment, justice finally arrived at the journalist. We call on Guatemalan authorities to end intimidating journalists and respect press freedom.

Anastasia Mejia, a radio journalist from Joybaj, Guatemala, won the 2021 Press Freedom Award. The journalist was recognized for her relentless service in the field of journalism. Anastasia co-founded Xolabaj Radio, dedicated to news for the local community. In 2017, she also started Xolabaj TV, which broadcasts live and recorded content on the outlet's Facebook and YouTube accounts. Anastasia's channel aims to give a platform to women, especially Indigenous women, to share their life experiences and issues that impact their community. CFWIJ congratulates Anastasia for her well-deserving win.

Las personas y organizaciones abajo suscritas hacen un llamado a las autoridades guatemaltecas a retirar de inmediato todas las acusaciones penales contra la periodista radial indígena Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, quien enfrenta un proceso penal tras permanecer en prisión preventiva arbitraria durante más de un mes.

The undersigned individuals and organizations call on Guatemalan authorities to immediately drop all criminal charges against Indigenous Guatemalan radio journalist Anastasia Mejía Tiriquiz, who faces a criminal trial after being held in arbitrary pre-trial detention for more than a month.

Xol Abaj radio reporter and indigenous rights activist Anastasia Mejia was arrested on September 22 with charges of “sedition”, “aggravated attack”, “arson” and “aggravated robbery” following her broadcast from Joyabaj central square informing the public about the protests against corruption.