Colombian Sentenced to Prision and Fined for Comments Online · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

On a judicial ruling that sets a dangerous precedent in Colombia, the Supreme Court of Justice refused to reconsider an appeal taken on the verdict that orders 18 months of imprisonment and a 9,5 milon pesos fine (about US$5,1000) for netizen Gonzalo López for comments published on El País newspaper website, in the Colombian city of Cali.
On 2008, López called Gloria Lucía Escalante, former officer at a public utilities company, a “rat”.
Newspaper El Espectador wonders if this is not a threat against the freedom of expression and shares opinions by lawyers who consider there is a confunsion between information and opinion.
11/2 año de cárcel sin recurso de casación de Gonzalo López para tumbar condena por injuria pic.twitter.com/T7s2Zf6fCJ http://t.co/fNUwtdUSNe
— Nosepasedelaraya (@Nosepasedelar) July 22, 2014
One and a half years without cassation by Gonzalo López to dismiss verdict for slander.
Y Su derecho a expresarse libremente? Corte Suprema de J. condena a Gonzalo Hernán López por un decirle a Gloria Escalante lo q piensa, mal!
— Juan Becerra (@Dipolitician) July 21, 2014
What abot his right of free expression? Supreme Court condemns Gonzalo Hernán López for telling Gloria Escalante what he thinks. Wrong!
Some netizens have sarcastic opinions that the decision should be for former president Alvaro Uribe:
Uribe acusaba a Santos sin aportar pruebas, está libre. Gonzalo Lopez acusa a Gloria Escalante en internet y paga 18 meses. Igualdad?
— Hugo Gómez (@hugo_gomez87) July 22, 2014
(Former president Alvaro) Uribe accused (former president Juan Manuel) Santos without producing evidence, he is free. Gonzalo Lopez accuses Gloria Escalante on the internet and he serves 18 months. Equality?