26 August 2008

Alert

Journalist threatened with physical violence by lawyer irate over coverage


Incident details

Ananta Raj Luintel

journalist(s)

threatened
(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.



Source

Federation of Nepali Journalists
Media Village, Sinamangal
Kathmandu
Nepal
fnjnepal (@) mail.com.np
Phone: +977 1 4112763
Fax: +977 1 4112785

Nepal

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