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Alert

Journalist threatened with physical violence by lawyer irate over coverage

(FNJ/IFEX) - Ananta Raj Luintel, reporter of "The Himalayan Times" daily, was threatened by Charles Sobhraj's defence lawyer, Laxmi Devkota, on 18 August 2008 at the premises of the Supreme Court in Singhdurbar, Kathmandu.

According to "The Himalayan Times", Devkota threatened to use physical violence against the journalist if he continues to write news about either Sobhraj or about Devkota's association with the Maoist party and Sobhraj's family. Devkota is the wife of Maoist Constituent Assembly member Khim Lal Devkota. She also said that the party will investigate and take action against the journalist.

FNJ denounced the threat against the journalist, saying it was particularly reprehensible given that it was from a lawyer. FNJ urged Devkota and her client not to interfere with the journalist's performance of his duties, and asked them to follow due process in the event that they disapprove of the news published.