Magazine confiscated, journalist receives death threats

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 30 September 1999, Father Luis Távara Martín, director of Radio Marañon in Jaén, visited the IPYS office to denounce two incidents: death threats received by journalist Juan Sausa Seclén, correspondent for “La República” daily and reporter for Radio Marañon; and the fact that the 28 September edition of “La República” was prevented […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – On 30 September 1999, Father Luis Távara Martín, director of
Radio Marañon in Jaén, visited the IPYS office to denounce two incidents:
death threats received by journalist Juan Sausa Seclén, correspondent for
“La República” daily and reporter for Radio Marañon; and the fact that the
28 September edition of “La República” was prevented from being distributed
in the city, allegedly by National Intelligence Service (SIN) officers.

Both incidents occurred after “La República” reported on the current
activities of Hugo Coral Goycochea, presently the head of the Sixth Military
Region intelligence operations unit based in Bagua, one of the goals of
which is to intimidate journalists. Coral is a former member of the “Colina”
paramilitary group. According to “La República”, Coral is currently working
as an undercover bodyguard for Jaén Mayor Walter Prieto Maitre, under the
false identity of Sergio Tafur Vélez.

On 28 September, there was a strategic operation to buy up all the copies of
“La República” slated for sale in the city, before they were distributed.
The seizure of the newspaper was meant to prevent the information from
reaching the citizens of Jaén and the surrounding regions, because of the
reaction such news would provoke. Besides journalists, opposition leaders
and organisations have also been targeted by intelligence operations.

Father Távara also informed IPYS of the death threats received by Sausa, who
has, as a result, been hiding since 28 September until he is assured that he
will receive protection and that he can freely exercise his profession.

Sausa is an employee of Radio Marañon, which is directed by Father Távara,
and which has also reported on the Coral matter. However, the threats are
more likely connected to Sausa’s work for “La República”, as the printed
media has had a much greater impact on public opinion at the national level.
Furthermore, were the threats connected to the Radio Marañon reports, the
father would also have received death threats, as he is in charge of the
information the station broadcasts. There was a call to the station to tell
Sausa that he was going to be killed, but threats were not directed at the
radio station.

Recommended Action

Alberto Fujimori

President of the Republic

Fax: +51 1 427 6722 / 426 6535

Martha Hildebrandt Pérez

President of Congress of the Republic

Fax: +51 1 426 8290
Edgardo Mosqueira Medina

Minister of the Presidency

Fax: +51 1 222 3678
General Carlos Bergamino Cruz

Minister of Defense

Fax: +51 1 433 6906
José Villanueva Ruesta

General Commander of the Armed Forces

Fax: +51 1 436 1423 / 435 4623
Jorge Santistevan de Noriega

Ombudsman

Fax: +51 1 426 6657