(IFJ/IFEX) – On 4 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. (local time), Armando Sánchez Ortiz, a photojournalist of the “Cono Norte” newspaper, and reporter Agripino Figueroa of the “La Voz de los Andes” newspaper, were assaulted by a Municipal Police squad, led by former National Police chief Marco Antonio Wilder Hernández, while they were covering a […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – On 4 May 1999, at 12:30 p.m. (local time), Armando Sánchez
Ortiz, a photojournalist of the “Cono Norte” newspaper, and reporter
Agripino Figueroa of the “La Voz de los Andes” newspaper, were assaulted by
a Municipal Police squad, led by former National Police chief Marco Antonio
Wilder Hernández, while they were covering a confrontation between the
municipal officers and street vendors, in square 7 of Jiron Ayacucho in the
centre of Lima.
According to Sánchez, the officers seized his camera while he was
photographing the incident, and damaged it. On 4 May, Sánchez denounced this
act to the National Police office in Cotabambas, Cercado de Lima.
In its May edition, the “Cono Norte” newspaper strongly protested this
attack, which further impedes the ability of journalists to perform their
professional duties. Wilfredo Icochea, editor of the daily, asked the Lima
mayor, Alberto Andrade Carmona, to penalise or dismiss municipal police
officer Wilder, who has negatively affected the municipality’s image with
his attitude.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
those
who were responsible for assaulting the journalists
Appeals To
Alberto Andrade Carmona
Mayor of Lima
Municipality of Lima
Peru
Fax: +51 14 272 151Gral. Ep. José Villanueva Ruesta
Minister of the Interior
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 12 242 407
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
