Honduran judge dismisses fraud and money laundering case against former President Hernández

A judge in Honduras has dismissed the fraud and money laundering case against former President Juan Orlando Hernández, clearing him of any pending charges in the Central American nation. Hernández, who made a controversial return to Honduras in July after being extradited to the United States for his drug trafficking trial, was previously sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a corruption scheme known as Pandora I. The case alleged that a network of former high-ranking officials from 2010 to 2013 participated in the expansion and approval of public funds disbursements totaling over 288 million lempiras ($10.8 million) to various foundations.

However, the judge ruled that the evidence presented did not establish Hernández's participation in the investigated events, leading to the dismissal of the charges.

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