Carlos Núñez was arrested after being convicted in absentia as a result of a libel suit brought against him 10 years ago.
(RSF/IFEX) – 19 July 2010 – Reporters Without Borders is pleased to learn that retired journalist Carlos Núñez was released on 14 July 2010 after 19 days in detention. Núñez was arrested on 26 June after being convicted in absentia as a result of a libel suit brought against him 10 years ago.
At the time of his arrest, he was completely unaware he had been convicted over an article he wrote 12 years ago for the now defunct pro-communist newspaper Crítica about environmental problems in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in the northwestern province of Chiriquí.
“I am here for defending the region’s inhabitants and the people who fight for respect of the environment,” he said as he left prison. Reporters Without Borders welcomes his release but points out that the case is one more example of the harassment to which journalists are subjected when they dare to tackle sensitive issues.
