JOYITO, PANAMA – American photographer Frederick Salaff, who is still under an order of “medida cautelar” (similar to the concept of “house-arrest” in the U.S.) resulting from charges brought against him over a year ago, has issued another call for assistance to the adult entertainment and free speech activist communities.This time, the call is not for financial support to help fight the charges, but help in the form of putting pressure on the Panamanian authorities to drop the case against Salaff entirely, and end his detainment in the Central American country.
“My name is Frederick Salaff (U.S. citizen) and I have been kept prisoner (along with my friend Stefano Simone) unfairly by the Panamanian government for more than a year, often in abject conditions and in total disregard of my fundamental civil and human rights,” Salaff wrote in a recent email sent to various adult industry news outlets, including YNOT.
Salaff and his company, Rio Bueno, LTD, SA, were originally charged with coercing prostitutes to perform in his adult productions, failing to obtain and file the proper paperwork to film adult movies in Panama, and not taking proper measures to prevent minors from being exposed to sexual activity.
All but the final charge, regarding exposure of minors to sexual activity (a charge which stems from children in the neighborhood allegedly climbing trees to watch filming taking place in Salaff’s back yard), were subsequently dropped, almost immediately following the arrest. The final charge, however, has been used as the justification for continuing to hold Salaff, with no apparent end in site.
“We urge you. Help us put an end to this nightmare,” Salaff wrote in his most recent email. “Call the Panamanian authorities, share with them your concern, your outrage at this abuse of power and, most importantly, tell them that the world is watching!”
Salaff provided the following contact information for Panamanian officials:
Procuraduria General de la Nacion (Attorney General of Panama)
Ana Matilde Gomez
207-3002
Fax 225-5249
Email: procuradora@ministeriopublico.gob.pa
Juez Primero Penal del Tercer Circuito Judicial (Judge in the case; no jury trials in Panama)
253-1705
Fiscal Segundo del Tercer Circuito Judicial (Prosecutor in case)
Zulma Diip Shu
253-7791
