Three journalists have been charged with defaming the former manager of the water treatment service in the city of Tarapoto, Carlo Magno Pasquel Cardenas. The journalists are Julio Alberto Quevedo Chavez of the magazine “El Tarapotino”, Luis Humberto Hidalgo Sanchez of Radio Tarapoto, and Cesar Herrera Luna of the magazine “El Achichito”, each one the […]
Three journalists have been charged with defaming the former
manager of the water treatment service in the city of Tarapoto,
Carlo Magno Pasquel Cardenas. The journalists are Julio Alberto
Quevedo Chavez of the magazine “El Tarapotino”, Luis Humberto
Hidalgo Sanchez of Radio Tarapoto, and Cesar Herrera Luna of the
magazine “El Achichito”, each one the director of his respective
media outlet. According to Pasquel, who is asking for civil
damages, his honour and reputation were tarnished by comments
made against him by the journalists.
The case centres around a 50 per cent increase in the rate
charged for drinking water in Tarapoto that was implemented
several months back. In response to the rate increase, various
organisations launched a series of protests. For their part, the
three journalists criticised the measure as well as Pasquel
himself, calling him “neurotic” and referring to his “bullying
tactics”. They also alluded to his supposed links to terrorism.
The local journalists’ association issued a communique, calling
the legal action by Pasquel a form of intimidation intended to
prevent investigation of the rate increase and to divert
attention from the incompetence of the management of the water
treatment service in Tarapoto.
A judge handed down a “conditional freedom ” order against the
journalists; they are not allowed to be on the streets after
10pm, and they are not allowed to leave Tarapoto without
permission.
Appeals To
