A Guatemalan court has absolved the son and brother of President Jimmy Morales in a case of alleged corruption.
Prosecutors had alleged that José Manuel Morales Marroquín, the president's son, and Samuel Morales, his brother, took part in purported falsification of invoices for a 2013 event that was paid for but never carried out. The alleged scheme was supposedly for the benefit of a business belonging to Morales Marroquín's romantic partner at the time.
Monday's ruling can be appealed by prosecutors, who did not immediately say whether they would do so.
Jose Manuel Morales Marroquin, son of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, looks over his shoulder in court in Guatemala City, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. The court acquitted the president's son and brother who were singled out for a corruption case in 2013. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)
Samuel Morales said: "The truth will set us free."
President Morales said via social media that there had been "political persecution" against his family.
Jose Manuel Morales Marroquin, son of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, center right, stands next to his uncle Samuel Everardo Morales, the president's brother, who embraces a lawyer in court in Guatemala City, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. The court acquitted the pair who were singled out for a corruption case in 2013. (AP PhotoMoises Castillo)