Dutch Journalist Okke Ornstein Imprisoned 20 Months In Panama For Libel

[fiserman]

Sources: http://expatriate.space/2016/12/02/journalist-okke-ornstein-imprisoned-in-panama-for-libel/
              http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/12/13182/dutch-journalist-okke-ornstein-detained-panama-criminal-libel
              https://cpj.org/2016/11/dutch-journalist-okke-ornstein-jailed-in-panama-fo.php

Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein has been arrested and imprisoned in Panama on a charge of criminal libel. International journalism groups are calling for his immediate release.

Ornstein was convicted of criminal defamation in December of 2012 and received the extraordinary sentence of 20 months in prison for publishing articles on his bananamarerepublic blog on the business doings of controversial businessman and Canadian national Monte Friesner. Until November 15, when he was imprisoned, Ornstein had been living freely in Panama.

20 months seems pretty steep for just libel considering his claims are true.