(IPYS/IFEX) – On the evening of 2 November 1998, Gustavo Mohme Llona, editor-in chief of “La República” and opposition Congressman, was threatened over the phone by a man calling himself the “Fifth of April Commando” (“Comando 5 de abril”). “La República” reported on 4 November that the threats were aimed at stopping Mohme from publishing […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the evening of 2 November 1998, Gustavo Mohme Llona,
editor-in chief of “La República” and opposition Congressman, was threatened
over the phone by a man calling himself the “Fifth of April Commando”
(“Comando 5 de abril”). “La República” reported on 4 November that the
threats were aimed at stopping Mohme from publishing news on the Inter
American Human Rights Commission’s upcoming visit to Peru.
The phone call was received on Mohme’s cellular telephone after 9 p.m. Staff
at his office in Congress answered. Alternating between Spanish and English,
the caller claimed to be from Channel 45 in New York. When Mohme took the
call, the caller asked, “Gustavo Mohme?” Mohme answered, “Yes… speaking.”
The caller said, “Look here, refrain from publishing anything on the visit
of the Inter American Human Rights Commission. You’ll be sorry. Watch it.
Don’t publish anything or you’re a dead man.”
Mohme’s digital phone registered the number from which the call was placed.
He asked cellular service provider Telefonica del Perú to identify the
caller from the number. The company said identities for the phone numbers
from which 9:12 and 9:15 p.m. calls were made did not appear in their
records.
Two hours prior, someone calling himself “Comandante Camion” (“Commando
Truck,” an alias used by military personnel working in state of emergency
zones) had phoned “La República”‘s editorial offices. The caller read a text
warning the Inter American Commission not to send its mission to Peru. “(We
the) patriots will not allow you to intervene in our affairs,” read the
text. The caller reread the message again and emphasized it was “Comandante
Camion.” The name refers specifically to Navy official Guillermo Artaza
García, who was tried in connection with several human rights violations
committed in 1984, including the Pucayacu massacre in Ayacucho. (Artaza hid
when he was due to come to trial to answer to charges of human rights
abuses.)
The name “Fifth of April Commando” alludes to President Alberto Fujimori’s 5
April 1992 self-coup; Congress was suspended and the coup marked the
beginning of a new era for Peruvian democracy.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities below:
Mohme and that those responsible be brought to justice
Appeals To
President Alberto Fujimori
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 426 6535Victor Joy Way
President of Congress
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 426 8290José Villanueva Ruesta
Interior Minister
Interior Ministry
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 475 2441Julio Salázar Monroe
Commander-General of the Armed Forces
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 433 7479Almirante Antonio Ibarcena Amico
Commander-General of the Navy
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 463 6060Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 426 7800General PNP Fernando Dianderas
Director-General of the National Police
Lima, Peru
Fax: +511 225 1775
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
