(RSF/IFEX) – Edgard Lopes de Faria, head of the local radio station Capital and a presenter on the television station TV Record, was killed on 29 October 1997 in Campo Grande, capital of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, as he was on his way to the radio station’s offices to host the program […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Edgard Lopes de Faria, head of the local radio
station Capital and a presenter on the television station TV
Record, was killed on 29 October 1997 in Campo Grande, capital of
the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, as he was on his way to the
radio station’s offices to host the program “In the Mouth of the
People”. During this program, Lopes de Faria used to report on
the hired killers who are alleged by investigators to be
responsible for 71 murders in Mato Grosso this year.
Police believe that the murder of Lopes de Faria was carried out
by professionals because they used German bullets not found on
the open market. According to witnesses, three or four
individuals shot Lopes de Faria as he was leaving a bakery where
he normally had breakfast.
Friends of the journalist, who preferred to remain anonymous,
stated that Lopes de Faria had many enemies due to his reports,
which were also critical of criminal elements and corrupt police
in the region. They added that Lopes de Faria had received
threatening telephone calls throughout the month of October.
Lopes de Faria had recently reported on his radio program on the
existence of a “secret cemetery” in an unknown part of the
country where the hired killers (pistoleiros) buried their
victims.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
murder of Edgard Lopes de Faria does not go unpunished
de Faria’s murder
Appeals To
His Excellency Fernando Henrique Cardoso
President
Palacio do Planalto
70160-990
Brasilia DF, Brazil
Fax: +55 61 226 7566Senator Jose Sarney
President of the Foreign Affairs Commission
Senado Federal
Anexo II
Ala Ruy Carneiro, Gab. 3
70165-900 Brasilia, Brazil
Fax: +55 61 322 6285
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
