Detained - Continued

“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is just public relations.”

George Orwell

An update for you on my situation here in Peru.

In my case, George Orwell’s quote would be more along the lines that photojournalism is documenting events that authoritarians don’t want to be witnessed.

That is what the police told me at my meeting on Monday. They told me not to take photos of police or protests. They told me I should only be photographing things relating to tourism.

They are claiming that I was partaking in the protests and that I was supporting the disruptive events. Essentially they are saying that I am supporting terrorism.

They created a law here that any form of supporting the protests verbally or visually, IS a form of terrorism and you can be held without a trial. In my case, if you are a foreign national that you can be deported without dispute.

It doesn’t matter if it is completely fabricated. If they file paperwork making the claim then I will be denied my visa and will have to leave the country.

My visa situation being unresolved and taking so long has left me vulnerable. They are using that as a weapon against me. I have to get my visa status resolved by Friday or I will have to leave the country and may not be permitted to return.

If things don't get resolved by Thursday other photojournalists who know me and who witnessed my detention, along with the Association of Photojournalists of Peru, plan to get involved. 

They are ready to make it national news here in Peru and to blockade the airport if they try to deport me. My lawyer says that he is getting a lot of calls from news outlets about my case wanting to do a story. I have asked my colleagues here to remain calm for now and see if we can resolve it quietly. I don't want to draw attention to myself - yet.

I have been told by the immigration office that I will not receive an answer until Thursday. One way or the other, I have to report to the police station on Friday. It is going to be cutting it very close and it has me in limbo. My lawyer has said that it may require a monetary gift on my part to the police and the immigration office.

I will update you as soon as I have more information and am able.

Thanks for all the support.

MB

Update on this post - I want to let everyone know that things are fine and I am safe. I will live to fight another day.

I don’t need to worry about the immigration police any longer. Now it is just a matter of getting the visa completed. That is going to require multiple steps, which is complicated to explain but I will get it done. The project will continue and I will return after a visit to Canada for the autumn.

Thanks for all the concern and support. 

MB