(RSF/IFEX) – RSF condemns the 28 November 2006 decision to extend the detention of Freddy Muñoz Altamiranda, the Colombian correspondent of the Latin American television network Telesur. Muñoz was arrested on 19 November at the Bogotá airport on his return from Venezuela and was charged with “rebellion” and “terrorism” over allegations dating back to 2002 […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF condemns the 28 November 2006 decision to extend the detention of Freddy Muñoz Altamiranda, the Colombian correspondent of the Latin American television network Telesur. Muñoz was arrested on 19 November at the Bogotá airport on his return from Venezuela and was charged with “rebellion” and “terrorism” over allegations dating back to 2002 of links with the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC).
RSF is astonished that he was arrested such a long time after the initial investigation and suspects that this was done to intimidate Telesur. RSF supports the joint letter that several journalists’ organisations and press freedom groups, including the Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP), have sent to President Alvaro Uribe, Prosecutor General Mario Iguarán Arana and Ombudsman Vólmar Pérez, in which they vouch for Muñoz’s integrity and professionalism.
