TABLE OF CONTENTS I INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE AND PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE............................................3 II PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT ....................................................................................4 III JURISDICTION ..................................................................................................................5 IV PRELIMINARY OBJECTION .................................................................................................5 V PRIOR CONSIDERATION .....................................................................................................7 VI EVIDENCE ..........................................................................................................................8 VII FACTS ...............................................................................................................................8 A. Article published in the newspaper “Así es la Noticia” and the complaint filed against Tulio Álvarez ................................................................................................................................. 9 B. Conciliation hearing and the precautionary measure barring travel outside the country .......... 10 C. Remedies filed after the final judgment ............................................................................ 12 D. Enforcement of the final judgment .................................................................................. 13 E. Request for conditional suspension of the execution of the sentence and of the measure barring travel outside the country ..................................................................................................... 14 F. Requests to leave the country......................................................................................... 15 G. The full release of Tulio Álvarez....................................................................................... 16 H. Ongoing effects of the sentence ...................................................................................... 16 VIII MERITS .........................................................................................................................16 VIII-1 RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND POLITICAL RIGHTS .................................17 A. Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .............................................................. 17 B. Considerations of the Court ............................................................................................ 19 B.1. Content of the right to freedom of expression ................................................................... 19 B.2. Permitted restrictions to freedom of expression and the application of subsequent liability ..... 21 B.3. The case of Mr. Álvarez .................................................................................................. 22 B.4 Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 26 VIII-2 RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL ............................................................................................26 A. Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .............................................................. 26 B. Considerations of the Court ............................................................................................ 28 B.1. Procedural defects in the presentation of the accusation..................................................... 29 B.2. Impartiality of the judges ............................................................................................... 29 B.3. Right to adequate time and means for the preparation of a defense .................................... 30 B.4. Right to examine witnesses ............................................................................................ 31 VIII-3 RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND RESIDENCE ................................................32 A. Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .............................................................. 33 B. Considerations of the Court ............................................................................................ 34 VIII-4 RIGHT TO JUDICIAL PROTECTION .............................................................................35 A. Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .............................................................. 35 B. Considerations of the Court ............................................................................................ 36 IX REPARATIONS .................................................................................................................38 A. Injured party ................................................................................................................ 39 B. Measures of satisfaction and restitution ........................................................................... 39 C. Guarantees of non-repetition .......................................................................................... 40 D. Compensation............................................................................................................... 40 E. Other measures of reparation ......................................................................................... 43 F. Costs and expenses ....................................................................................................... 43 G. Reimbursement of expenses to the Victims’ Legal Assistance Fund ...................................... 45 H. Method of compliance with the payments ordered ............................................................. 45 X OPERATIVE PARAGRAPHS .................................................................................................46 2