Local newspaper, Diario Extra must pay legislator $40k

January 23^rd, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The San Jose Penal Court sentenced local newspaper, Diario Extra on Friday, over a story the newspaper published concerning legislator Victor Hugo Viquez.

 

Hugo Viquez confirmed the sentence as he exited the courtroom.

 

Last year, the newspaper ran a story alleging that Hugo Viquez assaulted his ex-wife, the former Minister of Youth, Karina Bolanos.

 

After months in court, judges ruled that the newspaper must compensate the legislator 20 million colones (about $40,000), as well as publish the complete text of the judgment on the front page of the newspaper, according to Viquez.

 

Viquez described the sentence as “historic,” and encouraged the news media to “only publish the truth.”

 

Diario Extra now has the right to appeal the sentence.

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