(IPYS/IFEX) -Two “Caretas” magazine journalists reported that they were assaulted during the birthday celebration of Manuel Garrido Castro, the former mayor of Los Órganos district, in the province of Talara, Piura department, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (local time) on Friday 3 September 1999. The journalists stated that photographic equipment and their press credentials were taken […]
(IPYS/IFEX) -Two “Caretas” magazine journalists reported that they were
assaulted during the birthday celebration of Manuel Garrido Castro, the
former mayor of Los Órganos district, in the province of Talara, Piura
department, at approximately 11:30 p.m. (local time) on Friday 3 September
1999. The journalists stated that photographic equipment and their press
credentials were taken from them.
Journalist Kela Leon and photographer Paul Vallejos had traveled to Los
Órganos on assignment. Their version of events was published on 6 September
in the “El Comercio” and “La República” newspapers.
The incident occurred in the San Martin arena in Los Órganos district, where
a large group of Garrido Castro’s supporters had organised a rally
coinciding with the former mayor’s birthday. According to the journalists,
as soon as they entered the arena, two unknown persons jumped on Vallejos
and snatched his camera, even though he identified himself as a journalist.
They also took his credentials from him, slapped and kicked him, and finally
shoved him out of the arena.
Leon reported that she went up to the platform to ask former Mayor Garrido
Castro, the current Los Órganos mayor, Pablo Benites, and the El Alto
district mayor, Manuel Muñoz, to order their supporters to curb their
hostile attitude towards Vallejos. They replied that they could not do
anything because this was a private party. Leon further explained that when
she identified herself as a “Caretas” journalist, a person who appeared to
be a bodyguard took her credentials and threw her out of the arena as well.
Both journalists immediately went to the district police station, under the
command of lieutenant Roy Leon, to file their complaint. Vallejos recognised
councilman Alberto Jibaja as one of his attackers. Jibaja will be cited to
give his statement in the next few days. Vallejos was told that on Friday 3
September his camera and the journalists’ credentials would be returned to
them in the municipal offices, but this did not occur.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
incident and that those responsible be sanctioned
Appeals To
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 427 6722 / 426 6535Miguel Aljovín Swayne
Attorney General
Fax: +51 1 426 2474Lieutenant General Fernando Dianderas Otonne
Executive Director of Peru’s National Police
Fax: +51 1 225 1775Martha Hildebrandt Pérez
President of Congress
Fax: +51 1 426 8290Pablo Benites
Mayor of Los Órganos district
Fax: +51 74 85 4130 / 85 7048
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
