Francisco Farinango, a journalist on indigenous community radio, Inti Pacha, who was arrested during protests against a new mining law in the Pichincha region, northern Ecuador on January 20, was released the next day but still faces charges of “rebellion” along with two other community members arrested with him.
“Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) welcomes the release of the journalist but once again appeals to the justice system to proceed with caution. The fact that Francisco Farinango supports the claims of his community does not rule out that he sought to do his job as a reporter during the demonstrations. The procedure should be fair and not be used to punish Inti Pacha by getting at one of its journalists," the organisation said.
