Correa loses appeal in defamation case against journalist

Nov 1, 2017 | 0 comments

A provincial court in Quito has denied the appeal of former president Rafael Correa in a defamation suit against journalist Martín Pallares. Tuesday’s ruling upholds a July decision by Judge Fabricio Carrasco that an article by Pallares did not harm Correa’s reputation.

Rafael Correa loses appeal.

In his article on the 4Pelegatos website, Pallares mocked Correa’s defense of former minister of electricity Alecksey Mosquera who was arrested for receiving a $1 million bribe from Odebrecht. Pallares wrote that the then-president’s argument was “absurd,” comparing it to a burglary in which the intention is to prove that the stolen merchandise was indeed owned by the victim.

Correa’s suit had demanded that Pallares be jailed for 30 days and pay a fine for “uttering expressions of discredit” against the former president.

In the appeal, Correa’s attorney Caupolicán Ochoa claimed that Carrasco had erred in rejecting Correa’s claim. “The primary intent was educational, to show that the right to free expression does not protect slanderers, defamers, detractors and the honor of others,” he said.

Following the judges’ decision to uphold the original verdict, Ochoa said it set a “terrible precedent for Ecuador.”

After Tuesday’s ruling, Pallares posted, “Free!” on his Twitter account.

CuencaHighLife

Dani News

Google ad

The Cuenca Dispatch

Week of March 24

“They are pressuring me to resign so they can remove me from office,” denounced Verónica Abad, Vice President of the Republic.

Read more

Ecuador Navigates Economic Challenges with IMF Agreement Looming.

Read more

“Since when does thinking differently mean being a traitor?” Pierina Correa questions in reference to the Tourism Law.

Read more

Property 3br News

Google ad

Fund Grace News

Amazon Eco lodge News

Hogar Esperanza News