Il Nuovo Postiglione - Honduran judge drops corruption charges against ex-leader Hernandez

The 57-year-old, known as JOH, governed from 2014 to 2022 and had been accused of embezzling $2 million in public funds to finance his 2013 presidential campaign.

He has denied all charges.

The judge dismissed the allegations on the grounds that the former president "did not authorize" and "did not manage" those resources, judicial spokesperson Carlos Silva told reporters.

Hernandez "did not see any increase in his assets," Silva said, adding that the politician would receive his release papers later that day.

The judge had ruled in early August that Hernandez could remain free while on trial.

That decision followed the defendant's return to Honduras, nearly eight months after Trump overturned his 45-year prison sentence.

The US leader pardoned Hernandez in November, just days before a presidential election in the Central American country.

Hernandez's political ally Nasry Asfura narrowly won the presidency amid opposition allegations of fraud.

"Today this chapter of political persecution comes to an end," Hernandez told reporters outside the court in Tegucigalpa.

"We closed it in the United States, and we're closing this one," he said.

T.Cusumano--INP