A man has been arrested in Guatemala for inciting “financial panic” on Twitter, by urging others to boycott a bank after a political scandal erupted in the country.
Jean Ramses Anleu Fernandez posted that citizens should “withdraw cash from Banrural and break the bank of the corrupt”, also tagging the message with “#escandalogt” – referring to the recent murder of lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg.
Rosenberg recorded a video message before his death that claimed if viewers saw it, it would be because the president, Alvaro Colom, ordered his death.
Fernandez may face a fine of up to $US6000 and three years in prison, after being arrested for breaking a law against people who “elaborate, divulge or reproduce in any media or communication system, false or inexact information which harms the confidence of customers, users, depositors or investors”.
But other Twitter users have begun to resend his original message, and are now campaigning for his freedom by raising funds.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
