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Alert

Journalist threatened anew, accused of defamation for criticizing police work

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 February 2007, "Radio Calor" radio station journalist Aldo Meza Torres was warned that he would be beaten if he continued criticizing the work of Casma's police, headed by Major Marino Giménez Carrera. The threat was made by telephone while Meza was broadcasting the programme "Rompiendo Esquemas". Meza stated that he has criticized the police because of administrative irregularities and abuse of authority. The town of Casma is located in the Ancash region, northwestern Peru.

The journalist reported that he has been receiving threats since January and that on 15 February he filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's office in Chimbote, a city close to Casma, He has requested that the Casma administration ensure that he is protected; the Ombudsman has called upon the governor to investigate the case.

Four journalists, including Meza, accused Giménez of having threatened them in July 2006. The reporters had accused the police of administrative irregularities. According to Meza, towards the end of August 2006 the chief of police threatened to assault him in order to stop him from broadcasting a report about an illegal collection of money made by one of the policemen under his command.

Meza and other reporters belonging to Casma's journalists association (Asociación de Periodistas de Casma) have been accused of defamation by Giménez, because of their criticisms of the police's administration.