(IPYS/IFEX) – On 26 January 2005, Julio Molero, editor and owner of the weekly “El Tiempo”, announced that he is facing an order for his arrest and has been forced to go into hiding. “El Tiempo” is based in Andahuaylas, Apurímac region, southeastern Peru. In July 2004, officials from the Public Prosecutor’s Office searched the […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 26 January 2005, Julio Molero, editor and owner of the weekly “El Tiempo”, announced that he is facing an order for his arrest and has been forced to go into hiding. “El Tiempo” is based in Andahuaylas, Apurímac region, southeastern Peru.
In July 2004, officials from the Public Prosecutor’s Office searched the newspaper’s premises and confiscated a number of photographs, following allegations that Molero had distributed child pornography. The presiding judge examined the seized material and, after deciding that it was not incriminating, ordered the journalist to appear in court.
In December, however, the Andahuaylas Superior Court ordered Molero’s arrest, arguing that the newspaper owner’s legal situation was exacerbated by the fact “that he is a lawyer and a journalist” and because “he has obstructed justice by publicising the case.”
There are reasons to believe that the accusation against Molero was launched in retaliation for reports published in his newspaper criticising the police and local judicial authorities.
Molero has filed two appeals; one arguing that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing as the seized photographs cannot be classified as pornographic material, and a habeas corpus petition that seeks to annul the warrant for his arrest. Both appeals are outstanding, even though the time by which they should have been resolved has elapsed.
