1 October 2007

Alert

Journalist investigating corruption harassed by public official's security guard


Incident details

Mabel Rehnfeldt

journalist(s)

harassed

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(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 September 2007, the Paraguayan Journalists' Forum (FOPEP) condemned an act of intimidation directed against "ABC Color" journalist Mabel Rehnfeldt on that same day by a security guard of Víctor Bernal, director of the Itaipú Bi-national (Paraguay - Brazil) Hydroelectric Plant.

Rehnfeldt was taking pictures of Bernal's house from her car, as part of her investigations into the public official's alleged involvement in profiteering. She was intercepted by non-commissioned officer Hermes Mitre Aguayo, Bernal's security guard, who approached her in his own vehicle and, without identifying himself, attempted to stop her from taking photographs. He also maneuvered his vehicle in a threatening manner, as though attempting to ram Rehnfeldt's car.

The journalist and her colleagues have demanded an investigation into the incident and have requested that the guard be punished. IPYS asks the authorities to show no tolerance for this type of abuse, which violates press freedom.



Source:

Instituto Prensa y Sociedad
Sucre N° 317
Barranco, Lima
Perú
alertas (@) ipys.org
Phone: +51 1 2474465
Fax: +51 1 2473194
 

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Paraguay

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