BACKGROUNDER: The story behind the sentences

In March 2011, Ecuadorian president Rafael  Correa brought criminal libel charges against Emilio Palacio, columnist for the Guayaquil-based daily El Universo.

In an article titled “No to Lies” Palacio referred to Correa  as “the dictator” and accused him of wanting to pardon three policemen who were behind an uprising on September 30, 2010, when several people were killed.

He also insinuated that the president may have been guilty of crimes against humanity for allegedly ordering troops to open fire on a police hospital where he sought refuge after being attacked by protestors.

Correa asked the court to sentence each of the defendants to the maximum of three years in prison and to fine them US$50 million under Article 493 of the Ecaudorian Criminal Code. He also sought $30 million in damages from the paper’s parent company.

On July 7, Palacio resigned from El Universo in the hope the move would lead to Correa to withdraw the case. This proved unsuccessful and the trial began 12 days later, attended by the president in person, That day, the co-directors offered to print a correction drafted by the president. The offer was rejected although he had previously said he would drop the case if such a correction were published, and the court ruled in giving Correa his pound of flesh.

Condemnations continue to pour in from around the world including PEN International that has called for Ecuador to decriminalize defamation charges in line with Ecuador’s International Human Rights obligations. 

Palacio is seeking asylum in the United States.