April 17, 2004
At 5:00 AM, the radio announced the death of Senator John Charton. The cause of death: he fell down the stairs and broke his spine. It was the night Franklin returned from Egypt for an exclusive meeting on casework reporting.
This period coincided with the review of the Republic’s Constitution. Mr. Charton had been vocal about the political instability in the country and dishonouring the existing constitution. In fact, he was against the referendum, declaring that it wasn’t in the citizens’ best interests. He demanded that the government prioritize citizens’ safety and adhere to the fundamental principles recognized by the laws of the Republic. He believed that a democratic state shouldn’t favour a segregated group but should serve all people equally.
Young people found themselves side-lined, fleeing due to a lack of hope in their own country.
Charton’s independent ideas opposing the plan turned him into a controversial figure. Then, his sudden death occurred, creating more disgruntlement among the population and increasing the number of people seeking refuge in other countries due to increasing intolerance.
May 31, 2005
The revised constitution of the Republic was passed. Life inside the country was fragile, citizens were devastated, and exiled militants tried to fight back with no success. Civilian killings were ongoing, with allegedly rebellious people being labelled enemies of the country. The government wasn’t addressing these concerns.
“Pain is the deepest thing we have in our nature, and suffering has always seemed more real and holy than any other.” — Hallam
Prior to 2004, February 6, 2002
“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.” —Marcus Aurelius
Franklin conducted a training on investigative journalism, discussing its practice and impact on society. He provided a case study on political corruption, and trainees revealed how unsafe it was to report on such cases. Franklin admitted that it is one of the most dangerous jobs in many states, which is why it’s a calling to provide news that contains the truth rather than mere press releases.
He also pointed out how journalists sometimes fall for self-serving propaganda, destroying someone’s reputation with false accusations. For instance, when we label someone a fugitive for fleeing their country, on what grounds do we base this? In addition to the omissions constituting a crime under international or domestic law, there must be reasonable evidence of the crime beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Investigative journalism holds those in power to account for pursuing fair justice for all, following established legal procedures, and informing citizens of the truth.
During that period, Franklin was deeply involved in judicial dialogues about human rights and challenging the role of parliament in the budget process, as well as addressing economic monopolies.
August 24, 2004
Franklin received an arrest warrant. He had been receiving death threats from people he knew and strangers at the same rate.
The arrest was on charges of human trafficking. Two underage girls accused him of aiding in the process of human trafficking.
Franklin met these girls through a work colleague. He once came to Franklin’s house with the girls, saying they were his nieces and aspiring attorneys who could learn from him. Franklin wanted to ask why they didn’t come to the office instead, but he let it go since they were already there.
A few minutes later, his colleague received a call and had to leave immediately, asking Franklin to keep the girls busy until he returned. The girls were friendly, and they talked about law, but the girls seemed clueless about the subject. So, Franklin put on a movie and went to his room. His colleague never returned. In the evening, Franklin called a cab and asked the girls to give the driver their home address, which they did, and he was left alone.
These allegations happened one year and eight months later.
It was a setup. Franklin knew it was going to be a long process and might take his life as well or a part of it.
One thing prison taught Franklin is to slow down and think things through. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would be free, but having conspiratorial prison guards who are willing to take the law into their hands and rule by impunity frightens the innocent. Then Franklin sprung from the depths; the moment of reflection during the calm lifted him out of victimization and allowed him to stand tall without bitterness.
His body became a shell embodying wounds. It has expressed Franklin’s authority, power, loss, emptiness, torments, but it has also known victory.
Although it seems as though Franklin chose this path freely, he realized, it was his fate to shape him into who he is today. Franklin knew he was risking his life but he was much driven by his intention of bringing justice home.
September 17, 2005
The court cleared Franklin promptly released from prison. He had freedom of movement. But the problem of injustice, he never trusted that freedom as a guarantee.
The thing that was thrown at Franklin is the gap in his life. There’s a before and after, no continuation or correlation in between.
Pragmatically, suffering continues throughout life. In the public eye he remains a convict. Some people use the past allegations to bias the public opinion. And he asks himself, when does the retribution for allegations against him end?
Satisfyingly Franklin’s family supported him throughout. They believed in him; they knew he was going to handle it well.
Though that period was difficult for Franklin, he realized, he has never felt more alive than when his life was at high risk.
If Franklin hadn’t gone through that path, he might have the life he wants now — unquestionable life where people don’t revolve on his past or avoid him out of fear of how far he can go in pursuing the freedom of expression and justice; but he wouldn’t possess the wisdom he has gained, which is imperative to his current doings.
