Edgar Monroy and Olga Wornat have received threats that are linked to an investigation they have been conducting into Felipe Calderón's performance as president of Mexico.
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – 17 November 2011 – Over the past two months journalists Edgar Monroy and Olga Wornat have been receiving death threats via e-mails and mobile phones calls that are linked to an investigation they have been conducting into Felipe Calderón’s performance as president of Mexico. The results of their investigation will be published within the next few months. Monroy works an investigative assistant for Wornat.
The intimidation tactics have intensified in the last few weeks and ARTICLE 19 has documented the fact that Monroy is being followed by unidentified individuals and that someone recently tried to run him over while he was walking on the street.
The seriousness of the threats against Monroy are indicative of the risk to his security. Confronted with the inability of the authorities to deal with the attacks on the press in the country, ARTICLE 19 has decided to provide Monroy with security measures via its own protection programme.
Monroy’s case, along with other recent cases of attacks on journalists and media outlets, highlights the highly precarious freedom of expression situation in Mexico.
ARTICLE 19 reiterates its call on the authorities, particularly the Interior Ministry as the government body responsible for protecting journalists, to immediately implement measures to ensure Monroy’s safety.
