Criminal cases opened for spreading disinformation about Covid-19
ARGENTINA | TODAY 08:00
Criminal cases opened for spreading disinformation about Covid-19
At least 12 criminal cases have been opened against a number of individuals accused of "public intimidation," a crime which can result in up to six years in prison.
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THERE ARE OVER 2,600 CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 IN ARGENTINA, WITH OVER 120 DEATHS. | AP/NATACHA PISARENKO
There is zero tolerance for fake news about the novel coronavirus pandemic in Argentina – at least a dozen criminal cases have been filed in courtrooms since the quarantine became compulsory on March 20, even though an extended court holiday forms part of the lockdown.
These cases are the tip of an iceberg, however. Horacio Azzolín, who heads the Cybercrime Specialised Prosecutor's Unit (UFECI) of the Public Prosecutor's Office, has reported around 500 denunciations of malicious misinformation over the past month.
This crime is defined as “public intimidation” and can result in prison sentences of up to six years.
"What we did was simply adjust penal law on persecution to a current situation,” Azzolín told AFP.
More:
https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/open-criminal-cases-for-disinformation-about-covid-19-in-argentina.phtml
