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IAPA condemns attack against newspaper director

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 24 June 2003 IAPA press release:

IAPA condemns attack in Guatemala

Miami (24 June 2003) - The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today condemned an attack on José Rubén Zamora, director of the Guatemalan daily newspaper elPeriódico, and his family, who were held captive in their home and beaten. IAPA has urged the government to promptly investigate the incident.

In the early morning of 24 June, Zamora, his wife, children and an employee had their hands bound and were physically assaulted by unknown individuals. The assailants entered the house by posing as police officers.

"The IAPA demands that the Guatemalan authorities promptly and thoroughly investigate this attack, identify those responsible and bring them to justice," stated Rafael Molina, president of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.

Zamora and elPeriódico are well known for their criticism of corruption, human rights violations and drug trafficking.

After three hours, the attackers left Zamora's house, warning him that they would return if he failed to pay them the money they were demanding. According to the complaint received by the IAPA, this demand was likely a diversion tactic since the assailants did not take any of the family's belongings.

Zamora was the victim of a grenade attack in 1996, when he was director of the Siglo XXI newspaper. He has received numerous awards, including the Maria Moors Cabot Prize, the oldest international award in the field of journalism. He has also been recognised by the International Press Institute as one of the "50 World Press Freedom Heroes".