The journalists were attacked when they tried to interview a political candidate after his defeat in the regional elections.
(IPYS/IFEX) – Members of Peru’s American Popular Revolutionary Alliance party attacked several journalists as they attempted to interview the party’s candidate, Manuel Valverde Ancajima, after his defeat in the regional elections. The incident took place on 5 December 2010 in the city of Chiclayo, Lambayeque region, in northern Peru.
According to Henry Urpeque, a correspondent for RPP radio station, Valverde was willing to speak to the press but his press adviser, Henry Vásquez, recommended that he not give an interview. A large number of militants started to hit the journalists as Valverde was escorted by security guards from his party’s headquarters.
Reporters Perla Polo of Canal 21 TV station, Yesenia Abad of Antena Norte, and Antonio Bazán from “La República” newspaper were among those affected.
In an interview with IPYS, Vásquez said that the press was told that Valverde would give a speech only for his followers, and that the journalists were attacked because the party supporters had been provoked.
