Peruvian newspaper journalist assaulted

(IPYS/IFEX) – In an interview from Quito, Ecuador, journalist Jose Jara reported having been assaulted. On the front page of the daily “El Sol”, the journalist indicated that, in the middle of a press conference held to cover the return of Ecuador President Fabian Alarcon to his country, a military official dressed in civilian clothing […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – In an interview from Quito, Ecuador, journalist Jose Jara
reported having been assaulted. On the front page of the daily “El Sol”, the
journalist indicated that, in the middle of a press conference held to cover
the return of Ecuador President Fabian Alarcon to his country, a military
official dressed in civilian clothing “asked us if we were Peruvians, and
merely because of this made us leave. When we protested, he told us that we
had to go with him.”

Afterwards, the impasse appeared to have been resolved, and “we took some
photos. After the press conference, my photographer gave me his rolls and,
as I was leaving, the same official, together with another man, detained me.
They dragged me away in front of some Ecuadorian journalists and took me to
a place – I don’t remember too well where it was – but they dragged me
forcibly. What’s more, another military official, this time in uniform, came
and – I don’t understand why he had to – but he fired his gun in front of
me. The men seized my rolls of film, tape recorder and documents.
Afterwards, they hurled me around – there is no other way to describe it –
they hurled me around.”

Recommended Action

His Excellency Fabian Alarcon

President of the Republic

Quito, Ecuador

Cesar Verduga Velez

Minister of Government and Police

Ministry of Government and Police

Espejo y Benalcazar

Quito, Ecuador

Fax: + 593 2 580 067
c/o the Ecuadorian diplomatic representative in your country
(in Canada)

50 O’Connor Street

Suite 1311

Ottawa, Ontario

K1P 6L2

Fax: +1 613 235 5776
(in Peru)

Embassy of Ecuador

Lima, Peru

Fax: +011 511 422 0711 / 511 421 4129