CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — German freelance journalist Billy Six has circled the globe with a hand-held video camera asking people living through wars and strife to tell their stories.

But when he turned his lens to Venezuela, documenting the economic collapse and mass migration from the socialist country, he wounded up in jail on charges that his family says include spying — accusations they reject as false.

"He never touched a weapon, never joined in any demonstrations," his father, Edward Six, told The Associated Press. "He just was on the street. He talked to all these normal people. He ask...