(FLIP/IFEX) – Small riots and disturbances broke out at the Medellín sports stadium on 4 August 2002 just minutes after the end of a soccer match between the teams Deportivo Independiente Medellín (DIM) and Junior de Barranquilla. During these disturbances, Henry Agudelo, a press photographer for the daily “El Colombiano”, was threatened by Roberto Carlos […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – Small riots and disturbances broke out at the Medellín sports stadium on 4 August 2002 just minutes after the end of a soccer match between the teams Deportivo Independiente Medellín (DIM) and Junior de Barranquilla. During these disturbances, Henry Agudelo, a press photographer for the daily “El Colombiano”, was threatened by Roberto Carlos Cortés, a DIM player, for trying to take his picture.
Incidences of violence are common at Colombian soccer matches. Agudelo tried to capture the rioting as it unfolded when Cortés said to him, “You are the ones responsible for this type of violence.”
Agudelo responded by saying that he was simply doing his job as a media worker. This angered Cortés, who threatened him by saying, “I will hit you if you take one more photo.” Agudelo stated, “I did not continue to take photos because I thought something would happen to me.” Agudelo chose to leave the stadium for fear that the situation would worsen.
“El Colombiano” denounced the threat against Agudelo on 5 August. Directors of DIM have since disciplined Cortés with a fine and have called on him to write a letter of apology.
FLIP believes that Cortés’ behaviour constitutes a blatant disrespect and impediment to the work of journalists and should therefore be denounced by those who uphold press freedom.
