The Fifty-Ninth Lima Civil Court ordered the seizure of the LEA S.A. printing companyâs press, effective Friday 7 April 2000, two days before the date of the presidential and congressional elections. The company, which is owned by Abraham Hochman Bilbao, is responsible for the printing of the “Liberacion” and “Punto Final” independent dailies, which are […]
The Fifty-Ninth Lima Civil Court ordered the seizure of the LEA S.A. printing companyâs press, effective Friday 7 April 2000, two days before the date of the presidential and congressional elections. The company, which is owned by Abraham Hochman Bilbao, is responsible for the printing of the “Liberacion” and “Punto Final” independent dailies, which are openly opposed to President Fujimoriâs re-election.
Hochman affirmed that LEA S.A. is a printing company and is not related to Hochman Internacional S.A., a defunct editorial house which he also owned, and which is facing charges for an outstanding debt of US$260,000 brought against it by the Bank of Commerce. The businessman added that although LEA S.A. is not implicated in the court case, the company was included under the seizure order, because it operates out of Hochmanâs offices, located on Avenue Guillermo Dansey 1110, in the Cercado de Lima area. Hochman noted that he is the owner of the premises, but not of the printing press that the court order refers to.
According to “Punto Final” editor Francisco Loayza Galván, this action is actually an abuse of power “aimed at taking out of circulation a daily that is opposed to the regime,” and as such constitutes an attack against press freedom. “They are trying to scare us but we will not allow them to deprive us of the machines,” he affirmed.
“Liberacion” assistant editor Luis Iberico Nuñez, explained that he was planning to file an appeal and denounce the courtâs order to international observers, as he was also of the opinion that the dailyâs closure was linked to the electoral process.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– urging them to use their influence and ensure that the printing press is not seized, in accordance with the law
– noting that the printing press is not one of Hochmanâs assets
– asking them to provide guarantees that press freedom will be respected in Peru, as is stipulated by the Constitution
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Palacio de Gobierno
Fax: +51 14 266 770
Victor Raul Castillo Castillo
President
Supreme Court
Fax: +51 14 280 803
Blanca Nelida Colan
Attorney General
Fax: +51 14 262 474
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
