7 News Belize

Attorney Charged For Fake News
posted (March 30, 2020)
So, with the Belizean public already tense and worried about a possible spread of COVID-19, the last thing that everyone needs is unnecessary panic. That's why police have arrested and charged the well-known attorney Arthur Saldivar. The cops say that he used his Facebook account this weekend to post fake news that Belizeans were being put at unnecessary risk of catching the virus.

On Saturday, a post went live on Saldivar's Facebook account which reads, quote, "Why are you playing Russian roulette with the Belizean people? Today, March 28, 2020, a group of persons from Los Angeles, California, including a non-Belizean, are being facilitated for entry at our northern border… for a few dollars more, you are endangering the entire population? Calling on media to go to the Santa Elena Border today!" End quote.

Well, police say that Saldivar's post was completely false, and so they arrested and charged him with the offense of "spreading false news".

At a press conference held this morning, the head of the National Criminal Investigations Branch briefly discussed the topic:

ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"On Saturday, the police, whilst browsing, came upon a Facebook post in the name of an account belonging to Arthur Saldivar. As a result, an investigation was conducted, where he was detained, and later arrested and charged for the offense of spreading false news. He was shortly thereafter, granted bail to appear in court. The issue, which I will not go to into detail, was regarding persons being allowed into the country from the northern border, including Belizeans and non-Belizeans."

Reporter
"Sir, so have police been able to completely disprove his post?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes, an investigation was done, and hence the reason why he was detained."

Reporter
"Sir so, is it that the police determine that this is spreading panic, or is it that you received reports from the public to say that this is creating panic?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"What happens is that as a result of that post, there may have been several other posts in response to what was said, hence the reason that the panic was created by others, based on that first post."

Reporter
"How do you go about determining who you choose, or how do you determine which post is creating panic?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"Well, it is usually the origins of those posts, the persons who originally post that information, and based on the reaction, that is seen. And then, an investigation is conducted."

"There are several others being sought by police in relation to these types of investigations."

This afternoon, we also contacted Saldivar, who's usually media-friendly, for comment about the post, and the criminal charge he is now facing. He declined via text saying quote, "The matter is before the court at this time; I am the accused… [I] Pled not guilty." End quote.

And, he may be accused again. Reliable reports reaching our newsroom say Saldivar is presently being investigated for not having renewed the license on his personal firearm and could face charges.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize