Threats against muckraking Colombia journalist escalate: press freedom body
Threats against muckraking Colombia journalist escalate: press freedom body
May 28, 2014 posted by Camilo Mejia Giraldo
A press freedom NGO in Colombia has condemned the escalating threats towards one of the country’s most outspoken independent journalists, Gonzalo Guillen, national media reported Wednesday.
The Foundation for Freedom of the Press (FLIP), a nongovernmental organization that tracks violations against journalists in Colombia, released an alert after authorities warned the prominent investigative journalist of “a gigantic plan to assassinate him,” Vanguardia newspaper reported.
The warning from Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office followed an incident on May 22 that forced Guillen and his bodyguards to manoeuvre when their vehicle was chased by unknown assailants in two cars, Caracol Radio Reported.
According to FLIP, the Ministry of Interior’s National Protection Unit (UNP) immediately activated an emergency plan and expanded security for Guillen, who has been threatened numerous times in the past, forcing him to leave Colombia at least twice.
In 2012, FLIP announced that a number of threats against Guillen were connected with the former governor from Colombia’s northern state of La Guajira, Juan Francisco ”Kiko” Gomez, who is currently detained by authorities for alleged involement with criminal gangs and paramilitary groups.
An independent investigation conducted in 2012 by Guillen revealed that “Kiko” Gomez also had links to the assassinations of persons who had spoken out against him.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/threats-towards-colombia-journalists-escalates-press-freedom-body/
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Former governor of La Guajira, Juan Francisco ”Kiko” Gomez
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