(IFJ/IFEX) – On Thursday, 29 April 1999, reporter Miguel Gutierrez Cipriano, who works for the midday news programme on Radio Espacial, in Otuzco (department of La Libertad), received death threats and was assaulted by two unknown persons. The assault occurred at 11:55 a.m. (local time), while the journalist was standing by the door of his […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – On Thursday, 29 April 1999, reporter Miguel Gutierrez Cipriano,
who works for the midday news programme on Radio Espacial, in Otuzco
(department of La Libertad), received death threats and was assaulted by two
unknown persons.
The assault occurred at 11:55 a.m. (local time), while the journalist was
standing by the door of his house, which is located on Independencia 488
Street. After the assailants hit him, injuring his head, face and right arm,
they grabbed hold of his tape recorder and camera. They told him that they
were going to kill him if he did not stop making accusations in his reports.
Gutierrez explained over the telephone that he had recently begun to report
on the results of an audit of the Otuzco municipality, whose mayor is
Diomedes Veneros Ortecho. The audit apparently alluded to misuses of
financial funds and to irregularities in relation to the school Escuela
2003, located in the La Retama settlement, and run by Nancy Villanueva.
Gutierrez added that one of the assailants told him to stop being so
concerned about his sister.
A complaint was filed with the Peruvian National Police further to the
assault and robbery. They have begun investigating the case.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Radio Especial to continue their reporting
Appeals To
Jose Villanueva Ruestas
Minister of the Interior
Fax: +51 12 242 407Miguel Aljovin Swayne
Attorney General
Fax: +51 14 262 474Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 14 267 800
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
