(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 January 2005, at 12:30 p.m. (local time), journalist Fernando Valverde Lavado was stopped as he walked down the street and assaulted by brothers Gilfor and Gib Alva Sotomayor. About 20 people who witnessed the incident prevented the attackers from stabbing the journalist. Valverde works for the daily “Ya” in Pomabamba, Ancash […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 January 2005, at 12:30 p.m. (local time), journalist Fernando Valverde Lavado was stopped as he walked down the street and assaulted by brothers Gilfor and Gib Alva Sotomayor. About 20 people who witnessed the incident prevented the attackers from stabbing the journalist.
Valverde works for the daily “Ya” in Pomabamba, Ancash region, northeastern Peru. According to the journalist, he was attacked in retaliation for his investigation into irregularities at the Pomabamba campus of Los Angeles University, which is illegally operating without a licence. Witnesses identified the assailants as the sons of university administrator Joaquin Alva Fontenla.
Valverde was rushed to hospital after the attack. He later filed a complaint with the Pomabamba Regional Police Department and asked the Subprefecture for protection.
