(IPYS/IFEX) – On 8 June 2005, reporter Silvana Moz Mendoza and camera operator Raul Tarrillo, of Amazonica Television Channel 2 station, were assaulted by demonstrators belonging to the Loreto Patriotic Front (Frente Patriótico de Loreto) while covering the group’s 48-hour strike in Iquitos, Loreto region, northeastern Peru. Moz told IPYS that she and the camera […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 8 June 2005, reporter Silvana Moz Mendoza and camera operator Raul Tarrillo, of Amazonica Television Channel 2 station, were assaulted by demonstrators belonging to the Loreto Patriotic Front (Frente Patriótico de Loreto) while covering the group’s 48-hour strike in Iquitos, Loreto region, northeastern Peru.
Moz told IPYS that she and the camera operator were attacked when they tried to film the street blockades. She said that a number of unknown individuals, who apparently were drunk, approached them and identified themselves as members of the Patriotic Front. Moz and Tarrillo were surrounded, insulted and beaten with sticks.
Amazónica Television news editor Carolina Arredondo Vilar condemned the protesters’ actions and criticised the Peruvian National Police’s failure to intervene promptly enough to prevent the assault.
Arredondo noted that in the past Patriotic Front protesters have vented their frustrations on the press for not supporting the demonstrations
