{"id":18373,"date":"2016-11-28T12:01:19","date_gmt":"2016-11-28T17:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/panamaadvisoryinternationalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=18373"},"modified":"2016-11-28T12:01:19","modified_gmt":"2016-11-28T17:01:19","slug":"dutch-journalist-facing-prison-term-in-panama-for-criminal-libel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/panamaadvisoryinternationalgroup.com\/blog\/dutch-journalist-facing-prison-term-in-panama-for-criminal-libel\/","title":{"rendered":"Dutch journalist facing prison term in Panama for criminal libel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"okie\"<\/a><\/p>\n

International journalism groups call for the release of Okke Ornstein, who is facing 20 months in jail over articles published on his blog.\u00a0 Panama needs to change it’s laws regarding libel so that they cannot be used for unnecessary retribution.<\/p>\n

A Dutch journalist, Okke Ornstein, is being held in jail in Panama<\/a> after being arrested\u00a0 on a charge of criminal libel.<\/p>\n

He is facing a 20-month prison sentence over articles published on his blog about the business practices of a Canadian who lives in Panama City, Monte Friesner.<\/p>\n

The Dutch Journalists Association (NVJ) has called for Ornstein\u2019s release, arguing that the charge is baseless.<\/p>\n

Its secretary-general, Thomas Bruning, said the prison sentence \u201cis against the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and the freedom of expression, principles that are acknowledged as fundamental rights worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n