Hearing against Hernández for alleged fraud and money laundering to continue Wednesday

The initial hearing for former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, accused of fraud and money laundering, is set to resume on Wednesday. The Judicial Branch announced that the court will review expert evidence presented by both the prosecution and Hernández's defense team before proceeding to the conclusion phase of the hearing.

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During the session, expert evidence proposed by the Public Ministry and the defense team of Hernández will be presented. Subsequently, the conclusion phase of the initial hearing will take place.

Hernández, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He maintains his innocence and alleges that he is a victim of political persecution. Notably, he was pardoned by then-U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025 for charges related to drug trafficking, an issue separate from the current fraud and money laundering case.

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I hope that justice will be done, as already happened with the same group that was accused with me.

During this stage, the judge will determine which pieces of evidence are admissible, considering those proposed by the Public Ministry (prosecution) and the defense. Hernández appeared before the Criminal Court specializing in Organized Crime, Environment, and Corruption on Monday to continue the proceedings. He expressed hope for justice, referencing a previous case where other defendants were definitively dismissed.

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In the ten years of investigations into the trial I am now facing, there is no fraud, there is no money laundering.

Before the hearing, Hernández reiterated his belief that "justice will be done, as already happened with the same group that was accused with me." He emphasized that ten years of investigations have yielded no evidence of fraud or money laundering against him. The case, initiated in 2023, investigates the alleged diversion of approximately $10.8 million between 2010 and 2013, funds purportedly used to finance his 2013 presidential campaign when he was Speaker of the Honduran Congress. Hernández is currently out on bail with a prohibition from leaving Honduras, measures imposed on August 3.

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I am facing political persecution in my country.