Several People Did! THREE Months Ago! And STILL are in Jail NOW! :( WTF?



How would you feel if you knew someone unjustly

imprisoned for over 3 months in a foreign country?



These following people have been wrongly held in

Prison in Panama for well over three months now:



US citizen - Frederick Salaff
Czech citizen - Wein Lewis
Czech citizen - Sarah Twain
Czech citizen - Viy
French citizen - Tristan Seagal
French citizen - Ian Scott
Italian citizen - Stefano Simone
German citizen - Jay Jay
Panamanian citizen - Clara García.



Facts of Fred Salaff case - Who is Fred Salaff?

Facts of Fred Salaff case

Who is Fred Salaff?

A well-known photographer and adult filmmaker, with 18 years in the adult
industry, American Citizen Fred Salaff is best regarded for his luscious
photography of black women.

Fred Salaff has been active in filmmaking all his adult life, since he started
as a maker of corporate documentaries. He is best known under the Clayton
Blacquemoor alias in the adult movie business.

An interesting article about him from SexNet can be found here:
http://www.sexnet.com/gazette/clayton.html.

18 years ago, a friend introduced him to the adult business, and he went on to
film such best-selling videos as “Caribbean Booty Call (A tantalizing video
calendar immortalizing the most beautiful women the West Indies has to offer.)”
(30,000 copies purchased by Blockbuster alone!), and the FJS International Black
Mystique series. Many of his productions were filmed under the alias "Clayton
Blacquemoor", while still residing in Los Angeles, U.S.A.

It was way back then that Fred Salaff overcame the odds and survived a brain
tumor operation, which sequel is that he must take testosterone shots and a
special medicine called Dostinex (Generic Cabergolin) to prevent a reoccurrence
of his brain tumor. Nevertheless, you couldn’t find a happier man who is always
cheerful and of a good heart for his good luck in surviving the operation. He
also must take shots of Primotestone DEP every 15 days for the testosterone
deficiency he suffers from his bout with the tumor. Dostinex can not be bought
in Panama, so we have to pay expensive prices to bring it from outside.



Lurid Cover on Panama tabloid
They are shocked, shocked I tell you! that adult activities might take place in
little old Panama. Meanwhile, they run pictures of topless ladies on their print
edition every day as being of "entertainment value to their readers". If only
they remembered just WHO sold them the rights to the pictures...
Photo Credit: Unknown

Three years ago, Fred Salaff decided to settle down and moved to Panama,
Republic of Panama, looking for a sedate tropical lifestyle. He became very
active in social groups of expats helping with his film making skills to produce
beautiful materials promoting the beauty of the city, its monuments and the old
Spanish fortifications of the Colonial Era.

It was also three years ago he met a beautiful young lady while on a trip to
Cuba while filming documentaries about Cuban Music, one of his passions. He was
smitten by her and married her shortly thereafter. He has been trying,
unsuccessfully so far, to get her a visa to come to Panama to be with him.

While now located in Panama, business contacts still asked him to produce more
adult films, featuring the beautiful Latin girls of this Caribbean country.

The law



Fred Salaff during happier days as Clayton Blacquemoor
Photo Credit: SexNet.Com

Fred directed several more movies while residing in Panama. And, he decided it
was best if he alerted the authorities as to his intentions to make sure he
didn’t run afoul of any local laws.

So, a formal petition by Rio Bueno Ltd., on behalf of Fred Salaff was directed
to the Ministry of Government and Justice of Panama, asking about the legality
of filming adult movies in that country. By law, the government has 30 days to
reply to a questionnaire filed by anyone. Even though it took much longer than
that, Fred waited patiently for the answer.

Eventually, the government answered. After a check with all institutions and
laws that could possibly apply, the response was exact. There was no law against
the production of adult films in the Republic of Panama. As long as minors were
not involved, you were free and clear.

The one dissenting note was that of the “Junta Nacional de Censura” (National
Censorship Board) which function is to approve ratings for films to be shown in
local cinemas. It is interesting to note at this point, that several adult movie
houses operate with the permission of the Censorship Board in Panama City.
Nevertheless, they recommended against it even though they admitted it was out
of their jurisdiction. This writer shares the general feeling that a job at the
Censorship Board consists of nothing more than free movie passes all year long.
The rating system is whatever rating the movie got in the U.S. anyway. What work
is there to do? The actual, official document is now posted here: PDF FORMAT (2
pages), JPG FORMAT PAGE 1, JPG FORMAT PAGE 2.

Later the government would try to backtrack saying that all that Fred Salaff
asked for was legal requirements for making the film. The government note lists
no legal requirements and ends by saying, pornography is not a crime in Panama.
So, which is it??? Río Bueno, Ltd., S.A. is a properly set up Panamanian
corporation, in good standing. Not much more than that is needed to conducts all
sorts of business in Panama, as long as you pay your taxes, and don't deal drugs
or launder money.



"Currently our legislation has not classified adult pornography, as a crime"

The shoot

Late last year, DEVILS Film, an adult production company from the U.S., asked
Fred Salaff to be the location manager for one of their shoots.



Actors picked up for "questioning"...
and thrown in jail for weeks now
"Justicia! Justicia!" (Justice! Justice!) they shouted to the press.
Photo Credit: La Crítica

Mr. Salaff accepted the job, and set up casting sessions to have girls available
for the performers sent by DEVILS Film.

Once the performers arrived in town, the shooting began at Mr. Salaff’s house in
the beach community of Veracruz, a short 15 minute drive from the city of
Panama. It is important to stress Mr. Salaff was not the director or
photographer for this shoot. He was only the location manager in charge of
procuring talent (casting) and locations.

Mr. Salaff took extra precautions this time around. The property is surrounded
by an 8 foot wall around, and had two gates. He had one of the iron gates
removed and bricked the wall so that nobody could look in…

As for the other gate, he had it covered with heavy duty blue tarp to avoid
onlookers, but still allow access to vehicles when needed.

For security, he went down to the police station, told them what he would be
doing and asked for a National Policeman, to be stationed there. An agreement
was drawn up, and the National Police started guarding the outside of the house
from the curious for a fee.

Nevertheless, nosy neighbors wanted to know what was going on, and who were
those guys now staying at Fred Salaff’s.

Local kids, egged on by adults, climbed up on trees around the property to see
inside. Also, the kids started harassing the cop by throwing rocks at him so he
would go away. Eventually, the police gave up, and told Salaff they would no
longer provide the service. At this point Mr. Salaff hired a private security
company to secure the house. There were no problems reported with that.

The Raid (updated 18-feb-2005)



Another detained actor
Photo Credit: La Crítica

Suddenly, on Sunday, January 23, 2005, the Policía Técnica y Judicial (PTJ-DIIP)
de Panamá descended on the house because of complaints by the neighbors that
something funny was going on. About 8 scenes had been shot so far.

At this point it must be explained that in Panama there are several branches of
police. The National Police help keep the order. The PTJ and DIIP do
investigation into criminal cases. Other branches help with civil defense and
border protection, since there is no military force after the U.S. Invasion of
1989.

Even though Mr. Salaff showed them the official letter from the Ministry of
Government and Justice stating that what he was doing was not illegal, they
still took him and the whole crew in for questioning. The government later would
try to disavow responsibility of writing the letter. Tough luck, it is sealed,
stamped and dated.

Update 18-feb-2005: We now have online an official statement from the Corregidor
de Veracruz, the highest civil authority in the town, above even the national
police, complaining about police misconduct, tampering of documents and illegal
search warrant. Read the originals here in Spanish as a PDF file. Translation to
come soon. CORR_VERACRUZ.pdf (1,241K)

The Case

Immediately, a lawyer was retained to work on the case, and, obviously, asked
for a large retainer to cover the initial costs. Costs which are now escalating
and which might top well over $25,000 USD.

Two days later, the media got wind of the story, and descended on the house
during a visit by the Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s office). They were obviously tipped
off by the Fiscalía that this was going down, otherwise, so many news people
would have never found the house!



Porno Network claims El Siglo
Notice large advertisement on upper right corner for phone sex and "Photoshop"
model added to foreground of Salaff Residence.
Photo Credit: El Siglo



First Panel: News Anchor to his cameraman, "damn... they put a gringo in jail
for filming porn".
Cameraman asks, "And what are you nervous about?"
News Anchor responds, "surely they will want to put us in jail too for filming
all the filth that happens at the National Assembly"

Second Panel: Lights... Camera... Action shouts a man labeled "Government",
while an Uncle Sam ravishes a Panamanian beauty.

Third Panel: Woman asks policeman: "Crime against sexual freedoms? This is mine!
And I want to charge for filming it, it is my free decision and my business! Or
what? Should I starve to death and give it away for free because you want to?

Fourth Panel: Police spokesman says, "At the raid in Veracruz we found
two-hundred..."
Second policeman coughs, "mjm... mjm... cough... cough..."
Police spokesman says, "err... sorry.. I meant TWELVE videotapes with porn on
it"

This cartoon ran on the same edition as cover above
Click on it to see the original at the source.
Illustration Credit: El Siglo

It was a bona-fide media circus, with lurid tabloid headlines, sexual cartoons
on the front page, TV coverage, and, predictably enough, a few days later, you
could not find another mention of it on the papers or television. They sold
their copies, presented their shows, and moved on to the next big scandal. There
is no such thing as investigative journalism here. All kinds of strange stories
and gossip are and were printed as fact. Particularly hilarious was when they
interviewed a town drunk and crack user on TV about the goings-on at the Salaff
residence. And we'd be laughing too, if the situation was not so serious.
(Please see the video clip at the bottom of this page).

In the meantime, the almighty Carnival celebrations took place and courts shut
down for the festivities with unusual celerity --for an institution that should
have a blindfolded turtle as its mascot-- leaving the case stranded. More fodder
for the tabloids, underage girls getting nearly naked on stage during Panama's
very own Mardi Grass celebration, to the tune of Sexually Explicit Reggae and
wet t-shirt, best butt and best thong contests.

Who were detained?

US Frederick Salaff
CZ Wein Lewis
CZ Sarah Twain
CZ Viy
FR Tristan Seagal
FR Ian Scott
IT Stefano Simone
DE Jay Jay
PA Clara García.

US = United States
CZ = Czech Republic
FR = France
IT = Italy
DE = Germany
PA = Panama

Please note that respective embassies of the foreign citizens that have
representation here have been notified and have taken an interest in the case,
including the French and U.S. Embassy.
Update 25/Mar - We have been asked by friends to use their stage names to help
recognition of their cause. The real names of some of the actors are a matter of
public record, but we will not disclose on the page any more as respect to their
privacy.

Now, the pace picks up again as motions are filed, prosecutors look into the
case, etc. (but money runs tight...).

Originally the charge was that girls couldn’t have possibly acceded to doing
such filthy things for money, so they must have been pressured to do it. Mmm...
sexual pressure (equivalent to rape in local law). Oops... they signed model
releases and gave their adult consent... so, let's strike that. Can't make it
stick... Better find something else or this case goes down the tube...

They decided that since minors were able to look into the property while perched
on trees outside the property, a Corruption of Minors additional charge was
appropriate. Perhaps they might have better luck there.

Behind Bars

To this day, February 15, 2005, Fred is still behind bars, lacking such
essentials as a bed (you sleep on the tile floor), running water (there hasn’t
been running water in the prison for months), edible food (what passes for rice
is always scorched), or his medicines (they were lost in transit from the
holding cell where he was originally detained in PTJ’s facilities in Ancon, a
district of Panama City). La Joyita Prison (that means "little jewel", an irony
if there ever was one), is an extremely overcrowded filthy prison where hardened
criminals are sent to purge their sentences. Fred Salaff and the crew are thrown
in with Murderers, Rapists, Drug Dealers and worse! Originally built to house
less than 600 inmates, and with a population of 3,140+ (data from prison
system's webpage) it is a dog-eat-dog hell, where if you have no money or
friends, well, you can guess the rest.

Find out more about La Joyita's atrocious Human Rights Record by "googling" it
here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=la+joyita+prison&btnG=Google+Search
Prisoner Beatings - Hunger Strikes - Denunciations - The list goes on and on.

A formal visit by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission is reported here:
http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_07/issue_12/news_01.html

Legal costs for this case will be running upwards of $25,000 just for Fred and
Stefano alone or more and it still is nowhere near resolution. Habeas Corpus and
other legal instruments are of no recourse in sexually related cases, therefore
no bail has been granted. The only chance is to work very hard to have the
charges dismissed by the court before it ever goes to trial... Trial meaning
several months (or even years) down the road, unless we do something.

It is not uncommon in the Panamanian prison system to have prisoner awaiting
trial for 3 or 4 years, to then be dismissed for lack of evidence or wrongful
incarceration, without so much as an expression of regret by the authorities.
Only quick lawyer action can help here by filing appeals, finding holes in the
investigation, etc.

Contrary to what you might think, Fred Salaff does not have money. A filmmaker's
life is about the product but not so much about huge profits. The money is made
at the distributor level, with companies such as DEVILS FILM taking the Lion's
Share of the profits. Therefore he took on adult projects reluctantly at this
later stage in life to provide for his expenses in Panama. What little profits
he accumulated have already been spent on his legal defense.

The Facts

The facts are: Fred Salaff did not do anything illegal. He took reasonable
precautions to make sure minors were not involved and did not have easy access
to his property to see things they should not see. Women (and men) involved in
the film were of legal age, signed appropriate releases, and got all the
medicals tests that are standard in the profession before being allowed on set.
He does not deserve to be in La Joyita or any jail for that matter.





If this was any first world country such as the United States or any in the
European Union, this would not have stood the most perfunctory scrutiny.

Double Standards

A double standard is in effect. In Panama, prostitution is legal and well
publicized, as are adult dating services, sex phone lines and adult movie
houses. There is a sex shop in every corner. Special "push-button" motels
provide anonymity for trysts with full government approval, including health
inspections. Massage parlors abound with government only caring that local and
national taxes be paid, and health inspections are passed. Yet, when the adult
material is produced in the country, it must inevitably be bad because, Lord
Forbid, it will involve pure and chaste Panamanian ladies. I wonder who then
buys the sex toys, and visits the push button motels if there are no willing
women to go along?

DEVILS FILM has decided not to provide for the legal defense of Fred Salaff or
his associate Stefano Simone who assisted with the production, on the grounds
that he had a previous charge by a girl who complained that her image was used
on the internet against her will. This has been proven to be now a part of the
case, but not the reason they are behind bars. The fact still is, that the
serious charge that is being laid upon them is that of “Corruption of Minors”
because it is the only one vague enough to stand. In any case, her signed
consent for the pictures to be used on any media is on file with the
prosecutor's office and it makes for a very weak case, but a great excuse for
the raid.

DEVILS FILM abandoned their contractor. As of this writing, we understand they
might cover the legal defense of the remaining crew members (3 foreigners) who
are still in jail along with Mr. Salaff and Mr. Simone. The director and
photographer and director's girlfriend were "let go" under mysterious
circumstances at 2:30 a.m. on a Friday following the detention. They immediately
boarded a plane to Costa Rica and have not been heard from since. They had
promised to talk to Devils film about helping out Fred Salaff and the rest of
the crew, and Fred made sure his testimony helped them get off so they could go
get help. The Panamanian lady was also let go as it was made clear by Fred that
she just happened to be visiting the house at an unfortunate time. He has tried
to take all blame unto himself to avoid hardships for the other crew members and
actors.

DEVILS FILM has hung up on those who called inquiring about the Salaff case, so
we are now extending our plea to everybody that can help with donations or
publicity about the case. WE HOPE TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO COME CLEAN. SOMEBODY
HELP US GET A STATEMENT FROM THEM WHICH WE WILL PUBLISH IN ITS ENTIRETY.

A Plea for Help

To that effect, we have set up accounts to which we can accept donations of
money to help us raise as much as possible toward our, admittedly modest, goal
of $25,000 for the legal defense fund of Fred Salaff. His closest friends in
Panama are now tapped out and we need to reach out to the Adult Industry and
Fans for help and support.

If you believe in Freedom of Expression, if it just more than words to you,
please help us free Fred Salaff and everybody else from the abandoned DEVIL'S
FILM crew who is in jail on the same absurd charges.

FRED SALAFF's health is not optimal and it will not improve in an overcrowded
prison...

where he was not allowed to go out into the yard for a little sun until we
sent him a yellow t-shirt and shorts because the prison will not furnish
clothing to inmates.
where they had nothing to eat on for days because the prison does not give
plates to the inmates to put their food in, or what passes for food in this
third world country prison system. You are not allowed to bring food to the
prison inmates. But you can give them "walk around money", $20 every 15 days, so
they can purchase food from a kiosk run inside the prison that offers them
better fare. I wonder if there is a story in THAT.
where his brain tumor medicines were "lost" in transit from one prison to
another. He must take his (expensive) medicine regularly to prevent a relapse of
a brain tumor he had succesfully removed over 15 years ago. Now we don't even
have enough to buy his next supply of Dostinex !!! A friend speculates that a
cash gift to the appropriate warden might help the medicines "appear" on a
forgotten shelf. We'll try not to take that seriously.
when he worries about his wife in Cuba, left behind with no means of support
and not enough money to help get an emergency visa and plane ticket to visit her
husband.


IF YOU HEARD THIS HAPPENED IN THE U.S. of A. or in any other FIRST WORLD
COUNTRY, do you think it would stand for a minute? Fred Salaff's civil liberties
have been taken away. He is deprived of his LIBERTY, and all because a neighbor
did not like the idea that something not to her liking was quietly happening
behind closed doors at her neighbor's house.

Can we send a clear signal so that the next time a film crew flies down to a
third world tropical country they do not get arrested on innuendo and
suppositions of what they are doing? Perhaps we can, if we have the money to
mount a successful defense!

To learn more about Fred’s case you can call the following number in the
Republic of Panama: +507-693-3635 (Chris). Also, visit the www.fredsalaff.com
site for an update on the case. You will also be able to see some of his
non-adult photography work if you follow this link:

"FRED SALAFF PHOTO GALLERY"

Regards, Britney



PLEASE,

visit the http://www.fredsalaff.com/ site

for all the info on this case.

AND, Please join the Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fredsalaff/

Thanks, Britney



Several people are wrongly imprisoned

in Panama for over three months now.



People of conscience, regard this as a travesty of justice.



I wish to do all I can to help, and not only

have I donated ($) to the cause before, but

I have now, donate again, just yesterday.



Please see the Site

http://www.FredSalaff.com/



Yahoo Group about this, is:



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FredSalaff/



You may find out how to help, too, at:



http://www.fredsalaff.com/



Thank You.










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