(FLIP/IFEX) – On 10 June 2004, journalist Cristian Herrera and photographer Carlos Patiño, of the daily “La Opinión”, based in the city of Cúcuta, northeastern Colombia, were prevented by police from carrying out their duties. The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. (local time), in the Cúcuta airport, while the news crew was reporting on a […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – On 10 June 2004, journalist Cristian Herrera and photographer Carlos Patiño, of the daily “La Opinión”, based in the city of Cúcuta, northeastern Colombia, were prevented by police from carrying out their duties. The incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. (local time), in the Cúcuta airport, while the news crew was reporting on a police operation involving the transfer of a captured individual to Bogotá.
Herrera and Patiño were confronted by a member of the secret police (Dirección de Policía Judicial, DIJIN) who asked to see photographs they had taken. When the news crew showed him the photographs, the officer said, “you sons of bitches, if you publish any of these we are going to get you.”
Herrera told FLIP that on the night of 10 June an unknown individual came to his house looking for him and was refused entry by his family members. In addition, two unidentified individuals reportedly went to Patiño’s home to question him. The journalists believe these incidents are connected to the confrontation at the airport.
The Cúcuta police chief, Colonel Marco Antonio Pedreros, told FLIP that an internal investigation of the DIJIN official’s behaviour is underway. He added that “La Opinión” journalists had been given protection.
FLIP will continue investigating the incidents involving Herrera and Patiño and is continuing to monitor the situation for journalists in Cúcuta.
