(IPYS/IFEX) – On 24 May 2004, members of the press came under attack during a demonstration in Ilave district, Puno region, southeastern Peru. Cristhian Ticona Coahuila, a correspondent for “La República” newspaper, was seriously injured after being hit on the head with a stone. The incident occurred after a group of local residents tried to […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 24 May 2004, members of the press came under attack during a demonstration in Ilave district, Puno region, southeastern Peru. Cristhian Ticona Coahuila, a correspondent for “La República” newspaper, was seriously injured after being hit on the head with a stone.
The incident occurred after a group of local residents tried to take control of the town square, which was being guarded by police. The police responded by spraying the demonstrators with tear gas.
As the violence escalated, Ticona got into a police van to avoid being struck by the stones being thrown by demonstrators. Nevertheless, a stone was thrown through the van’s windshield and struck the journalist on the head. The journalist suffered severe bleeding and was attended to by police paramedics.
Journalists from the daily “Correo” and “Caretas” magazine were also struck by projectiles thrown by the demonstrators. The journalists were later evacuated to the regional capital of Puno and Ticona was taken to a local hospital.
This is the second incident involving attacks against the press in the region. On 23 May, a group of journalists managed to escape unharmed after being chased by an unruly mob. The assailants were reportedly linked to individuals who lynched and assassinated former Ilave mayor Cirilo Robles on 26 April (see IFEX alert of 25 May 2004). Demonstrators have been calling for the release of those detained in connection with the mayor’s assassination and have had an antagonistic relationship with the press, insisting that they only report on their demands.
