Newspaper director receives numerous death threats

(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is gravely concerned for the life of newspaper proprietor Clara Britos in light of the numerous death threats she has received over recent weeks. The threats are believed to be linked to articles in the daily “La Tapa” that have exposed purported corruption at the local council in Guernica. The newspaper […]

(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is gravely concerned for the life of newspaper proprietor Clara Britos in light of the numerous death threats she has received over recent weeks. The threats are believed to be linked to articles in the daily “La Tapa” that have exposed purported corruption at the local council in Guernica. The newspaper has also alleged that the council is responsible for the deaths of two protestors during the violent repression of demonstrations in the town protesting against the authorities’ maladministration.

According to Periodistas Frente a la Corrupción, Britos, the owner and director of “La Tapa”, has been the subject of a concerted campaign of threats and harassment. It has been reported that a car is permanently parked outside her house and follows her when she goes out. On three occasions, the car’s driver has threatened to kill Britos if she continues publishing information on alleged acts of corruption involving former city official Oscar Rodríguez, who now holds a high position in the State Intelligence Service (SIDE). Britos has also received numerous threats over the phone, and mail on a daily basis with the message “death to the friends of demonstrators”.

Recommended Action

Appeals To

Dr. Eduardo Mondino
Ombudsman
Defensor del Pueblo de la Nación
Montevideo 1244
1018 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fax: +54 11 4819 1581
E-mail: defensor@defensor.gov.ar

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