(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 September 1999, Alberto Andrade Carmona, Lima’s mayor, acting through his lawyer, Heriberto Benítez, presented a constitutional motion before the attorney general, Miguel Aljovín Swayne, requesting that an investigation be carried out and a formal complaint be filed against the newspapers: “El Mañanero,” “La Chuchi,” “El Diario Más,” “El Chato,” “El Chino,” […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 September 1999, Alberto Andrade Carmona, Lima’s mayor,
acting through his lawyer, Heriberto Benítez, presented a constitutional
motion before the attorney general, Miguel Aljovín Swayne, requesting that
an investigation be carried out and a formal complaint be filed against the
newspapers: “El Mañanero,” “La Chuchi,” “El Diario Más,” “El Chato,” “El
Chino,” and “El Tío”. All of these tabloids have been carrying out a
campaign against the mayor. Andrade believes that these papers have been
waging a systematic campaign of attacks against him which could injure his
political career, in view of the presidential elections scheduled for the
year 2000.
According to Benítez, the complaint presented by the mayor, who is also the
leader of Somos Perú, the main political opposition group, is based on the
Public Ministry’s constitutional law. The mayor is trying to put an end to
the campaign carried out against him, which began more than four months ago.
Benítez indicated that the National Intelligence Service is responsible for
the campaign. He also stated that it would soon come to light who the real
financiers of these media are.
Notwithstanding Mayor Andrade’s right to sue, and although these newspapers
systematically attack and insult independent journalists and members of the
opposition, IPYS defends their right to freely circulate and inform, abiding
by the responsibilities set out by law. Therefore, IPYS demands that these
newspapers face legal actions that are just and free of political
interference.
