Mayor’s husband assaults journalists

(PFC/IFEX) – On 11 April 2003, Gaspar Arosemena, a radio show host and the spouse of La Chorrera’s mayor, verbally assaulted a number of journalists and punched one of them. The incident took place at La Chorrera’s town council. The targeted journalists were at the town council to cover a meeting in which problems with […]

(PFC/IFEX) – On 11 April 2003, Gaspar Arosemena, a radio show host and the spouse of La Chorrera’s mayor, verbally assaulted a number of journalists and punched one of them. The incident took place at La Chorrera’s town council. The targeted journalists were at the town council to cover a meeting in which problems with the garbage collection service were under discussion.

The journalists involved were Eric Montenegro, a correspondent for EPASA publishers, Alexis Graell, a correspondent for “El Siglo” newspaper, Raúl Vega, of RPC television station, “Mi Diario” and Estereo Oeste radio station, and Urania Molina, of “La Prensa” newspaper and K. W. Continente radio station. According to the journalists, Arosemena, Mayor Yolanda Villa de Arosemena’s husband, insulted them and struck Vega in the chest and face.

Arosemena’s violent behaviour reportedly followed the media’s criticism of the garbage collection service. Journalistic investigations have pointed to the mayor’s role in the matter and have also suggested that she used her influence to purchase a municipal property. Carmen Calderon de Casino recently announced that her family had first rights to the land, which is adjacent to her property. She reportedly began the process of purchasing the property from the municipality in 2002, but the matter was never finalised. The land was subsequently acquired by Arosemena, who claimed to have wanted it for one of his grandchildren.

Since the incident at the town council, Arosemena has continued to insult the four journalists via his radio programme, “Chumico con Matapalo”, broadcast on La Nueva Exitosa radio station. During one of the programmes, of which the journalists have a recorded copy, Arosemena said he got very angry “and punched those four clowns, who are parading as adults.” He also threatened to teach them a lesson, adding, “if these spoiled brats and nose wipes do not understand, I will deliver the final blow.”

In a letter to Ombudsman Juan Antonio Tejada, PFC condemned the incident, calling it a “grave attack on the journalistic profession.” The organisation also urged Tejada to intervene before the proper authorities so that an investigation is launched into the La Chorrera municipal administration and Arosemena’s purchase of the municipal property.

For PFC’s letter to the ombudsman and additional information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/045.html

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