Panama Urged to Release Dutch Journalist

The nternational Transparency board for Panama is urging that Panama release Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein, who has been arrested on a charge of criminal libel.

Okke Ornstein, a journalist who has been living in and writing about Panama for many years was arrested November 15th, 2016, upon his arrival at Panama's Tocumen International Airport. Ornstein was arrested for alleged criminal defamation dating back to 2012 and 2013.

The convictions are based on stories Ornstein wrote alleging misconduct in the business practices of Canadian, Monte Friesner. These articles were published on his blog, Bananama Republic, which has been offline since August.

Transparency International Chair, Jose Ugaz, said at the start of the 27th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Panama City, “we wish to implore the authorities on whom this decision depends to look at it carefully, because freedom of expression cannot be repressed in prison.”

The Dutch Journalists Association (NVJ) has also called for Ornstein’s release. The secretary-general of NVJ, Thomas Bruning, has said “the prison sentence is against fundamental principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, principles that are acknowledged as fundamental rights worldwide.”

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela responding to the appeals, stating that Panama values both “freedom of expression and judicial independence”.

"With much respect, because in Panama there is separation of powers, I ask the chief justice to evaluate the case the director of Transparency International has made," said Varela.

Ornstein’s lawyer, Channa Samkalden explain to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, “it is an extraordinary situation, given that Ornstein has been living in Panama without any problem since the convictions and has left and returned to the country on numerous occasions since then.”

Ornstein, has worked for Dutch broadcasters and Al-Jazeera in the past, his writing is often about corruption and fraud. He has been nominated for awards, including the Prix Europa radio prize in 2013 and the Tegel prize in 2015. One of Ornstein’s radio documentaries covered the environmental consequences of a hydroelectric dam in Panama, funded by a Dutch bank. According to an article published by Guardian following Ornstein’s arrest, his coverage on the dam raised questions in the Dutch parliament.