(IPYS/IFEX) – At around noon (local time) on Friday 15 September 2000, Juan Herrera, correspondent for Radio Cutivalú in the Bellavista district, Sullana province, Piura department, was assaulted by unknown individuals. According to Luis Lozada, IPYS correspondent in the region, the journalist was “attacked by persons apparently hired by District Mayor Emilio Pasapera Calle.” The […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – At around noon (local time) on Friday 15 September 2000, Juan Herrera, correspondent for Radio Cutivalú in the Bellavista district, Sullana province, Piura department, was assaulted by unknown individuals. According to Luis Lozada, IPYS correspondent in the region, the journalist was “attacked by persons apparently hired by District Mayor Emilio Pasapera Calle.” The mayor is currently facing accusations of nepotism and irregularities in the management of his municipal duties.
The attack was apparently aimed at preventing the journalist from interviewing the young executive of the Bellavista Parks Association (Asociacion Pro Parques de Bellavista). The journalist had called for a meeting with the association, following their complaint that the mayor had ordered the demolition of the Simon Morales square, which had only been built five years earlier.
Lozada informed IPYS that the whole affair began a few months ago, when Herrera publicised allegations that the municipality was employing some family members of the aldermen and mayor. Subsequently, a group of residents began calling for the mayor’s removal. According to Lozada, at the time, the mayor sent a number of persons to frighten the journalist’s family members.
Herrera filed an official complaint with the Bellavista district police office. Although this is not the first time that a complaint has been filed against the mayor, thus far no action has been taken against him.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for an impartial investigation of the matter and asking that those responsible be punished
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Dr. Blanca Nélida Colán
Attorney General
Fax: +51 1 426 2474
Dr. Federico Salas Guevara Shultz
President of the Council of Ministers
Fax: +51 1 447 1628 / 475 0689
Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Lieutenant General Fernando Dianderas Otonne
Director General of the Peruvian National Police
Fax: +51 1 225 1775
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
