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Alert

One year later, the murder of journalist Julio Palacios Sánchez remains unpunished

(RSF/IFEX) - On the first anniversary of Julio Palacios Sánchez's murder in the northeastern city of Cúcuta, Reporters Without Borders voices exasperation that the investigation has ground to a halt with no arrests made. The outspoken presenter of a news programme called "El Viento" on Radio Lemas, Sánchez was gunned down on 11 January 2005.

"With the investigation apparently bogged down, we call on the Colombian authorities to do everything possible to identify and punish those responsible for this murder," the press freedom organisation said. "We urge them not to abandon this case, as this would just reinforce the prevailing climate of impunity, and we insist on the need for effective measures to protect the media."

Aged 55 at the time of his murder, Sánchez was shot three times in the chest by two men on a motorcycle who followed him as he drove to the radio station on the morning of 11 January 2005. He died of his wounds a few hours later.

Responsibility for the case investigation was transferred to the Bogotá prosecutor's office, but the investigation has not advanced past the preliminary stage and no suspect has been arrested. Until now it had seemed most probable that Sánchez's murder was linked to his controversial radio programme, which was very critical and famous for its exposure of corruption. Recently, however, some of his colleagues said they could not be certain that his death was connected with his work.