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Okke Ornstein

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Okke Ornstein
Born1965 (age 58–59)
Amstelveen, Netherlands
Occupation(s)Investigative journalist, TV producer, photographer
Employer(s)McCann-Erickson, IDTV [nl], NTR
Known forDirecting commercials, investigative journalism with corruption and fraud
PartnerKimberlyn David
Children1
AwardsPrix Iris
Websiteornstein.org

Okke Ornstein (born 1965), is a Dutch investigative journalist who is known for his fraud and corruption investigations.[1] Ornstein was imprisoned in Panama in 2016, and was released after serving more than one month in prison.[2][3] Ornstein's fraud and corruption investigation has won several awards, including the Prix Europa.[3][4][5] Ornstein has produced major stories through NTR and Al Jazeera.[3][6] Ornstein previously published through his own site Bananama Republic but now publishes for Correspondent at Large..[2][7][8]

Personal life

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Ornstein was born in the Amstelveen, North Holland in 1965.[3] He began his career in advertising. He also worked as a television producer and photographer. He first went to Panama to report in 2000. Prior to his 2016 arrest, he had been a resident in Panama for several years.[2][9][8] He has a teenage daughter who lives in Panama[10] and is in a relationship with Kimberlyn David.[11]

Arrest

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In 2012, Ornstein faced backlash after publishing a number of pieces on fraud and corruption through his website Bananama Republic, where he wrote about criminal activity.[12] In one case, Ornstein wrote about the alleged fraudulent business practices of Monte Friesner, a citizen in Panama.[13] Friesner allegedly had a criminal history dating back to 1966, and has been convicted on counts of money laundering, wire transfers, and other crimes.[14] Friesner filed a complaint regarding Ornstein's posts,[8] and Ornstein was prosecuted by Panamanian officials.[15] Ornstein was convicted of criminal defamation and sentenced to a 20-month sentence in 2012. This sentence was never implemented and Ornstein lived freely in Panama following the conviction.[16][17]

Ornstein travelled between the Netherlands and Panama several times between 2012 and 2016.[18][12] When Ornstein arrived at Panama International Airport on 16 November 2016, he was arrested on account of his 2012 conviction.[19] Several organizations worked to secure Ornstein freedom, including the Dutch Association and the International Federation of Journalists, who claimed the charges against him were unfounded.[20] After a presidential decree by President Juan Carlos Varela, Ornstein was released from jail along with over 300 other prisoners on 23 December 2016 and his sentence was commuted.[2][13][21][22] Ornstein has since started a new website, called Correspondent at Large.[2][7][23][24][25]

Responses

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Panama City is the capital of Panama.
Panama City
Panama City
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Panama City is the capital of Panama.

Ornstein's arrest lead to a number of responses internationally. International Press Institute Executive Director Barbara Trionfi stated the imprisonment was "appalling" because it took place before an anti-corruption gathering of experts in Panama.[24] The External managing director of Transparency International, Cobus de Swardt, said "Journalists play an important role in showing that the corrupt cannot get away with their crimes. It’s no time to be incarcerating the messengers."[26] Thomas Bruning from the Dutch Journalist Association supported Ornstein arguing that "A 20 month prison sentence over a series of blog posts is against the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, principles that are acknowledged as fundamental rights world wide."[27]

Awards

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Ornstein has won a number of awards for his work in journalism. The first was the Prix Europa in 2013 for a radio investigation piece regarding the environmental impact of a hydroelectric dam in Panama.[4] Ornstein was nominated for the Tegel Award in 2015 for a radio documentary about refugees.[3] Ornstein has also won the Prix Iris for his documentary series "Urbania."[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Journalist in gevangenschap book release announcement at the publisher (Querido)'s website
  2. ^ a b c d e "Dutch journalist Ornstein freed on defamation charges in Panama – News – DW – 24.12.2016". DW.COM.
  3. ^ a b c d e "About Ornstein – #FreeOkkeOrnstein".
  4. ^ a b Greenslade, Roy (22 November 2016). "Dutch journalist facing prison term in Panama for criminal libel" – via www.theguardian.com.
  5. ^ a b "ABOUT – Okke Ornstein".
  6. ^ "Journalist Okke Ornstein opgepakt in Panama".
  7. ^ a b "Correspondent at Large". www.ornstein.org. 14 June 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein jailed in Panama for criminal defamation". Committee to Protect Journalists. 29 November 2016.
  9. ^ Bolwijn, Marjon. "'Ik zat onterecht vast: voor mijn werk als journalist' – Buitenland – Voor nieuws, achtergronden en columns". De Volkskrant.
  10. ^ "Rechten Okke Ornstein geschonden". www.villamedia.nl.
  11. ^ "Journalist Okke Ornstein getergd en strijdbaar in Panamese cel".
  12. ^ a b Markalaus, Kristina (4 January 2017). "Interview with Okke Ornstein: Politicians would print copies of my stories to discuss them angrily in cabinet meetings. – Fairpress.eu".
  13. ^ a b "RSF's calls for release of Dutch journalist jailed in Panama – Reporters without borders". RSF.
  14. ^ "Dutch Journalist Okke Ornstein Detained in Panama for Criminal Libel". 1 December 2016.
  15. ^ e.V., Transparency International. "Panama: Release Dutch journalist and abolish criminal defamation charges".
  16. ^ "Panama laat journalist Okke Ornstein vrij".
  17. ^ "Nederlandse journalist krijgt ruim drie jaar cel in Panama".
  18. ^ "Gratieverzoek ingediend voor Okke Ornstein". www.villamedia.nl.
  19. ^ "OAS – Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development". www.oas.org. OAS. 1 August 2009.
  20. ^ "Dutch journalist arrested in Panama after criticizing Canadian businessman". 22 November 2016.
  21. ^ "Okke Ornstein's prison sentence commuted". 20 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein due to be freed from Panama prison". Committee to Protect Journalists. 20 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Okke Ornstein: the trial, the back story, prospects moving forward". 2 January 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Jailed Dutch reporter Ornstein says Panama failed to inform him of legal proceedings". Committee to Protect Journalists. 13 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Ornstein, defamation laws and the Panama Papers: the business context". 29 November 2016.
  26. ^ Zaken, Ministerie van Buitenlandse. "Journalist Okke Ornstein pardoned". www.government.nl.
  27. ^ Friesner, Monte. "LATEST SCOOP AND BREAKING NEWS ON OKKE ORNSTEIN & BANANAMA REPUBLIC!".
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