Several unidentified individuals threw a grenade at the Olimpica Stereo building, which exploded on the balcony outside the station manager's office.
(FLIP/IFEX) – At 11 p.m. on the night of 25 September 2010, several unidentified individuals threw a grenade at the building that houses Olimpica Stereo in Villavicencio, Meta, in southeastern Colombia. The grenade exploded on the balcony outside the offices of station manager. A security guard and two presenters were in the building at the time but they escaped unhurt. However, the building itself was damaged. The police were notified and arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion.
Station manager Jaime Ortiz told FLIP that he did not know what the motive for the attack could be. However, he said that approximately three months ago, several people threw a rock at the building’s reception area, and two weeks ago, several strangers were seen taking photographs of the building.
Lieutenant Coronel Juan Carlos Pinzón of the Meta Police said the attack was under investigation and that they have offered around-the-clock security at the building.
FLIP condemns this attack on Olimpica Stereo and notes its concern at the frequency of attacks against radio stations. FLIP has documented six cases of attacks and intimidation against radio stations in 2010.
FLIP calls on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. At the same time, it also calls on the police department to provide the appropriate security to the radio station and its journalists.
(Please note this is an abridged translation.)
