(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist Yirilí Pérez informed IPYS that she is being harassed by Douglas Lago, coordinator of the Caroní Decide (Cadecide) political association. Pérez reports on political affairs for the Guayana regional newspaper “Nueva Prensa”, in Ciudad Guayana, Bolívar state, southern Venezuela. Lago is running for the mayoralty of Ciudad Guyana, in Caroní municipality. According […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist Yirilí Pérez informed IPYS that she is being harassed by Douglas Lago, coordinator of the Caroní Decide (Cadecide) political association. Pérez reports on political affairs for the Guayana regional newspaper “Nueva Prensa”, in Ciudad Guayana, Bolívar state, southern Venezuela.
Lago is running for the mayoralty of Ciudad Guyana, in Caroní municipality. According to Pérez, on 8 March 2003, she published statements made by Lago, accusing the current mayor, Antonio Briceño, of having misappropriated funds obtained from the sale of 40 buses that belonged to the municipality to pay off a personal debt.
The journalist told IPYS that on 7 March, Lago came to the newspaper’s offices to provide information about the case. Afterwards, he was accompanied by the newspaper’s photographer to an area where the buses were supposedly parked.
Briceño subsequently launched a complaint against Lago for defamation. In his defence, the Cadecide coordinator claimed that the journalist “had misinterpreted his comments.” However, Lago’s comments were quoted in the same manner in two other regional dailies, “Última Hora” and “Correo del Caroní”.
On 17 September, the journalist was called to testify at a hearing in the case against Lago. Pérez informed IPYS that when she arrived at the court, she was harassed by Cadecide supporters who were waiting for the hearing to begin. The hearing was eventually postponed until further notice.
The journalist also said that Lago has repeatedly called her on her mobile telephone, harassing her and urging her to retract her statements. Thus far, Pérez has not filed a complaint with the authorities.
