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April 4, 2019

Philippines Journalist Maria Ressa Pleads Not Guilty to "Politically Motivated" Charges
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And in the Philippines, the nation's highest court has ordered the
government to release documents about thousands of deaths linked to
President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. Human rights groups say the
release will shed light on extrajudicial killings that opposition
lawmakers say have left 20,000 dead since Duterte took office in 2016.

This comes as award-winning journalist Maria Ressa pleaded not guilty
Wednesday to charges of tax evasion, following her second arrest on what
she says are bogus, politically motivated charges. Ressa is the founder
of the independent news site Rappler and a vocal critic of President
Duterte. She spoke to reporters just after her "not guilty" plea.

Maria Ressa: "I still say that these cases are all politically
motivated. I mean, where in the world do you come home on a Friday, get
arrested, post bail, and, on a Monday, get another arrest warrant and
post bail again? I have been arrested twice in a little over a month, a
month and a week or so, right? So, it's clear, but we will fight every
single one and hope for the integrity of the men and women who will
handle these cases."



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