Honduran Judge Grants Release Of Former President Juan Orlando Hernández As Corruption Trial Proceeds

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A judge successful Honduras ruled Monday that erstwhile President Juan Orlando Hernández, who precocious returned to nan Central American state aft a Trump pardon for supplier trafficking charges successful nan U.S., will not beryllium jailed during his proceedings for fraud and money laundering.

The lawsuit is being intimately watched arsenic a litmus trial for nan country’s justness strategy aft critics opportunity nan erstwhile leader ruled pinch impunity for years.

Hernández, erstwhile considered an state by nan U.S. successful nan supplier war, led Honduras from 2014 to 2022, during which he boasted that he would “shove nan narcotics correct up nan noses of nan gringos,” according to U.S. prosecutors.

He was extradited to nan United States for his supplier trafficking proceedings soon aft leaving agency and was sentenced to 45 years successful prison. President Trump unexpectedly pardoned him past twelvemonth and backed his party’s campaigner for president, Nasry Asfura, who took agency successful January.

Hernández, 57, faces charges related to a lawsuit known arsenic Pandora I, which alleges that a web of erstwhile high-ranking officials from 2010 to 2013 participated successful nan description and support of nationalist costs disbursements totaling much than $10.8 million, aliases astir 288 cardinal lempiras, to various foundations, according to an investigation by nan country’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Unit Against Corruption Networks, aliases UFERCO.

According to UFERCO, Hernández benefited from these disbursements, receiving astatine slightest $2.3 cardinal for his governmental run done various schemes, including nan creation of ammunition companies, nan usage of straw men and fictitious contracts.

Other high-level officials implicated successful Pandora I whose cases person been dismissed bespeak nan apt result for Hernández, according to ineligible experts.

The erstwhile president remained successful nan U.S. until his apprehension warrant successful Honduras was suspended by a judge successful June.

Prosecutors requested that he stay successful custody while his lawsuit is ongoing, but nan judge denied nan petition Monday. However, nan tribunal placed immoderate restrictions connected Hernández. He is barred from leaving nan state and must cheque successful pinch nan tribunal connected a play basis.

Hernández has denied nan charges against him and said he willingly faces nan lawsuit against him, which “lacks immoderate ineligible basis.”

He will return to tribunal for his adjacent proceeding connected Aug. 12.

González writes for nan Associated Press.