**Updates IFEX alerts dated 1 May, 12 April and 12 March 1996, 15 August 1995, and others** On 31 May 1996, a delegation made up of representatives from Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) and the Institute for Press and Society (IPYS) met with President Alberto Fujimori, who expressed interest in the case of imprisoned journalist Jesus […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 1 May, 12 April and 12 March 1996,
15 August 1995, and others**
On 31 May 1996, a delegation made up of representatives from
Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) and the Institute for Press and
Society (IPYS) met with President Alberto Fujimori, who expressed
interest in the case of imprisoned journalist Jesus Alfonso
Castiglione Mendoza. In addition, Fujimori expressed concern for
those wrongly convicted under Peru’s anti-terrorist legislation
and who now find themselves, like Castiglione, imprisoned. He
added that he is currently considering several initiatives that
would alter this situation. Fujimori later contacted General
Carlos Dominguez, the head of the National Anti-Terrorism Agency,
who offered to get in touch with the general in charge of Huaraz
region of Peru (where the events leading to Castiglione’s arrest
and conviction took place) so that he could write up a report on
what actually happened. Fujimori also arranged for the delegation
to meet with Castiglione at the Miguel Castro Castro prison so
that it could take pictures of him as well as film an interview.
Apparently, such an authorisation by the President is rare.
The delegation also met with Dr Marcos Ibazeta, the President of
the Superior Court, who stated that the case files of Castiglione
were waiting to be passed on from the Superior Court to the State
Prosecutor (“Fiscalia Suprema”), which in turn would issue an
opinion on the case and then refer it to the Supreme Court so
that it could hand down a verdict. Ibazeta believes that the
State Prosecutor should receive the files within two to three
weeks.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Dr Moises Pantoja, President of the
Supreme Court, the delegation expressed concern for the reports
that were received by Castiglione’s lawyer, Dr Carlos Rivera,
which mentioned the apparent ignorance and unfamiliarity with the
case’s evidence and testimonies by the faceless judges (“juzgados
sin rostro”) during previous judicial hearings both in the
Superior Court and in the Supreme Court.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
to President Fujimori:
the Peruvian justice system will act in an impartial and just
manner so that Castiglione, who recently entered his fourth year
in prison, will soon be released
Appeals To
Ing. Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1, Peru
Fax: +511 4266770 (or +511 4266535 via presidential press office)
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
