(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: PARAGUAY Three journalists threatened In a letter to Interior Minister Julio César Fanego, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) expressed concern over the threats received by Sever del Puerto, of Radio Carítas, and the break-ins at the homes of Roberto Augsten of the daily Última Hora and Héctor […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release:
PARAGUAY
Three journalists threatened
In a letter to Interior Minister Julio César Fanego, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) expressed concern over the threats received by Sever del Puerto, of Radio Carítas, and the break-ins at the homes of Roberto Augsten of the daily Última Hora and Héctor Riveros of Radio Primero de Marzo. The organisation applauded the protection afforded to Sever del Puerto and asked for a thorough investigation into the two robberies. “It is essential that investigative journalists are able to work in absolute safety,” stated Robert Ménard, RSF secretary-general. Ménard recalled that Salvador Medina of radio Ñemity was assassinated on 5 January 2001.
According to the information collected by RSF, on 14 May 2001, Sever del Puerto, responsible for the judicial section at Radio Cáritas, an Asuncion station, was given police protection. The journalist had taken refuge in a local television station and while there revealed that he had received death threats for investigating the alleged implication of former interior minister Walter Bower in a theft of millions of dollars, referred to as “mega-assault”. Sever del Puerto stated that he has been in a state of shock since the threats. He affirms having “written and taped proof” that, he feels, indicates that the former interior minister was the main person responsible for the mega-assault. On the other hand, over the past eight days, the homes of journalist Roberto Augsten, of the daily Última Hora and of the radio station Radio Ñanduti, and Héctor Riveros, of Radio Primero de Marzo, were robbed by unknown assailants. Both journalists are investigating the mega-assault case for their respective media. According to Roberto Augsten, this course of events is a “strange coincidence.” The Radio Primero de Marzo editorial staff believes that there is no doubt the robbery of Héctor Riveros’ house, during which only two agenda books were stolen, is linked to the same case.
In August 2000, unknown individuals stole US$11 million from a vehicle carrying funds at the Asuncion international airport.
Salvador Medina, of Radio Ñemity, was killed on 5 January 2001, after having reported on cases of corruption and smuggling in the San Pedro department (200 km north of Asuncion).
