Retired Panama journalist Carlos Núñez was released on July 14 after 19 days in detention, according to delayed reports received by Paris-based Reporters sans Frontières (RSF). Núñez was arrested on June 26 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 go 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 for the environment,” he said as he left prison. RSF welcomed his release but pointed out that the case is one more example of the harassment to which journalists are subjected when they dare to tackle sensitive issues.
