A Honduran judge has ruled that Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president pardoned by Donald Trump last year of US drug trafficking charges, can remain free while he faces his corruption trial. Hernandez, known by his initials JOH, returned to Honduras on July 26, nearly eight months after Trump's pardon overturned his 45-year prison sentence.
Hernandez flew back after the suspension of an arrest warrant tied to allegations that he embezzled $2 million in public funds to finance his 2013 presidential campaign. At a hearing where he was formally charged with money laundering and fraud, the judge upheld the suspension of the arrest warrant but ordered him to provide a written pledge not to flee.
The former president was also barred from leaving Honduras and his first hearing was set for August 12. Trump pardoned Hernandez in November, claiming he was a victim of an unjust trial under Joe Biden, though part of the investigation was conducted during Trump's first term.
The pardon came amid threats by Trump to cut US aid to Honduras unless conservative candidate Nasry Asfura, Hernandez's political ally, won the presidency. Asfura won the election amid opposition allegations of fraud. Hernandez has dismissed both the US case and the Honduran proceedings as 'political persecution.'
Hernandez, who served two terms from 2014 to 2022, is seeking to recover at least 130 assets seized when he was extradited to the US. His return has polarized Hondurans, especially as other defendants in the corruption case, including former president Porfirio Lobo, were cleared of charges.
