Caracas, Venezuela: 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.

The photo by Edward Six shows his son, German journalist Billy Six in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Credit:AP

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 asked them questions and put that on the internet."

Authorities have yet to comment on the arrest, which took place three weeks ago, leaving Six's family grasping for answers and German diplomats in the dark; so far they have been unable to visit the 31-year-old in the infamous Helicoide prison in Caracas where he's being held alongside some of the government's most strident opponents.