Ecuadorian journalist Peter Tavra Franco now faces a new $10 million fine on top of his six-month prison sentence for libel, reported Fundamedios. Tavra was sentenced on July 19.
Both charges were presented by brother and sister Milton and Mónica Carrera after Tavra published a story in the newspaper El Universo on Feb. 3, 2009, with the headline, "Arrested smuggler escapes from custody." In the story, Tavra narrates the plaintiff's escape after being arrested for human trafficking from Ecuador into the United States.
The Carreras claimed that the story's publication caused "great damage to their honor, public image and prestige." Tavra asserted that he "used police documents" that established cause for the arrest, according to Fundamedios.
In January 2010, judges revoked Judge Ángel Rubio's original decision, clearing the journalist of any fault. However, the ruling was appealed to the Third Penal Court and reversed. Finally, the National Court of Justice declared both parties' appeal inadmissible in May 2011, according to the Andes news agency.
Now, the Carreras brought a new case demanding Tavra pay $10 million for the alleged damages.
A Facebook group was created to support the journalist called "Truth and Justice for Peter Tavra."
