(IPYS/IFEX) – At approximately 1:30 p.m. (local time) on 20 August 2004, about twenty individuals surrounded journalist Adrián Aguilar as he was leaving Radio Huandoy station’s premises. The group warned Aguilar that he would have to “face the consequences” if he continued to report on accusations against the Caraz district former mayor, Roberto Espejo Ramírez. […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – At approximately 1:30 p.m. (local time) on 20 August 2004, about twenty individuals surrounded journalist Adrián Aguilar as he was leaving Radio Huandoy station’s premises. The group warned Aguilar that he would have to “face the consequences” if he continued to report on accusations against the Caraz district former mayor, Roberto Espejo Ramírez. The incident occurred in Huaylas province, Ancash region, northwestern Peru.
After hosting the news programme “El Mirador”, Aguilar was about to leave the station together with program coordinator Óscar Morales. The angry group was waiting for him outside the station’s premises. They were upset by the fact that Aguilar had accused Espejo Ramírez of having offered them money to defend him against the rest of the town’s residents. On 12 August, the municipal council forced the former mayor to resign. Since his resignation, local residents have prevented Espejo Ramírez from entering the municipality’s offices after he attempted to reassume his position.
Aguilar told IPYS that he recognised the former mayor’s driver and other individuals who are linked to Espejo Ramírez among the demonstrators. Espejo Ramírez is accused of embezzling funds and illegally apointing some of his relatives to government positions.
