(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ protests illegal detention of journalists on false charges The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged over the continued detention of journalist Venu Gopal in Qila Jail, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. “Incarceration of journalists on false charges is an outright attack on press freedom, and […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release:
IFJ protests illegal detention of journalists on false charges
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged over the continued detention of journalist Venu Gopal in Qila Jail, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
“Incarceration of journalists on false charges is an outright attack on press freedom, and must not be tolerated on any account,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
According to information received by the IFJ, the noted journalist and editor of Veekshanam, Venu Gopal. was illegally arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police on May 30, 2005 in Aurangabad along with Pinaka Pani, editor of Aruna Tara literary magazine.
Also arrested were Ravi Kumar, office bearer of Aruna Tara; V Chenchaiah, ex-editor of Aruna Tara; and Ganti Prasadam, media representative of CPI (Maoist) Party.
The group of journalists and writers reportedly met at a guesthouse to discuss media interaction with the Maoist party, the status of a second round of talks between the state and the CPI (Maoist), and issues relating to the Revolutionary Writers Association (VIRASAM).
The journalists and writers were picked up by the Special Branch of Andhra Pradesh police with help from local police and were tied with ropes, blindfolded and illegally confined for 72 hours. Venu Gopal, who suffers from diabetes and depends on insulin injections, was denied any medication for 72 hours.
“The treatment meted out to the arrested persons is totally unjustified and a complete violation of human rights,” said Warren.
Venu Gopal only received medical attention after wide spread protests in Andhra Pradesh led by K Sreenivas Reddy, general secretary of IFJ affiliate in India, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), and together with the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Union (APWJA) and several local organisations.
Venu Gopal’s detention continues despite an assurance on June 7 by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Raja Shekhar Reddy, to a delegation of the APWJA, that the government would take steps to release Venu Gopal at the earliest.
The police have failed to provide proof to substantiate the charges of conspiracy and war against the state. This leads the IFJ to suspect the charges against the journalists are fabricated.
The IFJ joins the IJU in demanding the immediate release of the illegally detained journalists and dropping all fabricated charges against them. It is calling on all affiliates and freedom of expression partners to send protest letters demanding the immediate release of the detainees.
The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.
