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Alert

Newspaper's security guard hurt during attack by demonstrators in Maracaibo, journalist harassed

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 17 September 2007, a score of demonstrators attacked the headquarters of the newspaper "Panorama" with rocks, bottles and sticks, damaging the building's front walls and doors. The newspaper is based in the city of Maracaibo, in the state of Zulia, in northern Venezuela.

Deputy editor Lolimar Suárez told IPYS that a security guard was hurt during the attack when he attempted to stop the demonstrators from entering the building.

The demonstrators accuse "Panorama" of printing lies and blame it for the arrest of José Sánchez, chief of security for the state government, in connection with the death of Claudio Macías, a Department of Military Intelligence official who was murdered while in detention in a state prison. The demonstrators are also demanding Sánchez's release.

Also on 17 September, "Panorama" reporter Alí Zabala was insulted and chased by a group of unidentified persons who recognised him as a "Panorama" journalist as he left the law courts where he was covering Sánchez's hearing.