(IPYS/IFEX) – On 1 April 2003, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (local time), journalist Edgar Cáceres Flor was the victim of an attack that left him disfigured, with a broken nose. The incident occurred in Ancash, capital of Huaraz province, in northern Peru. The journalist is head of public relations for the Independencia Municipality, a district […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 1 April 2003, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (local time), journalist Edgar Cáceres Flor was the victim of an attack that left him disfigured, with a broken nose. The incident occurred in Ancash, capital of Huaraz province, in northern Peru. The journalist is head of public relations for the Independencia Municipality, a district bordering on Huaraz province.
According to information provided to IPYS by the police, who are investigating the incident, Cáceres Flor had gone to Channel 13 Red Global to pick up a video recording he needed for his work. As he was leaving the television station studios, an individual later identified as Nilton RodrÃguez Soto attacked him with a piece of glass, without providing any explanation. The assailant then fled in a vehicle. Cáceres Flor suffered serious injuries to his face.
Cáceres Flor told IPYS that RodrÃguez Soto is a primary school teacher at the Mariscal Toribio College, in Luzuriaga, Huaraz. According to the journalist, he has been threatened by RodrÃguez Soto since 2002 for having investigated and reported on a series of irregularities involving the Independencia Municipal Treasurer’s Office. RodrÃguez Soto’s wife was the cashier and in charge of the office until she was removed from the town council because of the alleged irregularities.
Cáceres Flor underwent surgery at the VÃctor Ramos Guardia hospital, in Huaraz. He received 26 stitches on his face and, according to the doctors, will have to undergo a second operation to repair a nasal cavity fracture that has caused an infection.
RodrÃguez Soto appeared before the police to provide a statement but was released, despite the seriousness of the injuries suffered by the journalist. The journalist hopes that the official medical report will spark the Prosecutor’s Office to file a complaint and call for an investigation and RodrÃguez Soto’s arrest.
In a press release, the Huaraz Journalists’ Centre condemned the incident. The association, of which Cáceres Flor is a member, stated that it would not tolerate any attacks on journalists and condemned “this cowardly, intolerant and criminal act (â¦) for shutting down a space for dialogue.”
The association called on the authorities to punish the individuals responsible for the assault and to provide Cáceres Flor with protection, so that further attacks are prevented.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for an extensive investigation into the incident
– urging them to punish the assailant and any individuals who may have masterminded the attack
– asking them to protect Cáceres Flor from any retaliation and further attacks
Appeals To
Manuel Antonio Rios Vela
Ancash Region Prefect
Fax: +51 43 72 1792
Colonel Edgar Pastor Vigo
Ancash Regional Chief for the Peruvian National Police (PNP)
Fax: +51 43 72 2920
Dr. Marco De la Cruz Espejo
Chief Attorney of the Ancash Legal District
Fax: +51 43 72 5554
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
