(IPYS/IFEX) – On 17 July 2005, Cecilia Valenzuela, director of the television programme “La Ventana Indiscreta”, broadcasted the recording of a threatening call she received on her mobile phone on 9 July. During the call, a woman demanded that Valenzuela stop investigating the activities of the National Police and Interior Minister Felix Murazzo, and threatened […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 17 July 2005, Cecilia Valenzuela, director of the television programme “La Ventana Indiscreta”, broadcasted the recording of a threatening call she received on her mobile phone on 9 July. During the call, a woman demanded that Valenzuela stop investigating the activities of the National Police and Interior Minister Felix Murazzo, and threatened to make public a compromising recording of the journalist in order to discredit her. The journalist accused Murazzo of being behind the threat.
During the threatening call, which was recorded on Valenzuela’s mobile phone, an excerpt of the allegedly compromising recording with which the journalist was to be discredited was also audible. Valenzuela recognised it as being part of a conversation she had had 14 years ago. According to the journalist, this was the same conversation which Vladimiro Montesinos, former advisor to ex-president Alberto Fujimori, had several times threatened to reveal publicly. She stated that the only thing the recording proves is that her telephone was being tapped years ago. The journalist asserted that the minister will not silence her.
During the last few weeks, “La Ventana Indiscreta” has aired several reports alleging ties between Murazzo and Montesinos, which the minister has denied.
The ministry has not responded to Valenzuela’s accusation and IPYS has not been able to obtain an official pronouncement on the subject. IPYS is very concerned about Valenzuela’s complaint and believes it warrants an immediate investigation by the Attorney General’s Office.
