Paraguay: Lives of two journalists under threat; television programme pulled

http://www.ifex.org/da/layout/set/print/content/view/full/81195/

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP has expressed its extreme concern for the safety of Javier Núñez, correspondent for the daily newspaper "Ultima Hora" and Canal 9 television station in the city of Coronel Oviedo, capital of the department of Caaguazú. Vernicio Scherer, currently in prison and accused of car theft and trafficking in stolen cars, has threatened to kill Núñez and "his people" when he is eventually released from prison. The threat was made after Núñez reported on a search of Scherer's auto wrecking shop conducted by the prosecutor's office, during which parts from more than 80 stolen vehicles were found.

Núñez filed a complaint about Scherer's threat with the police; however, the prosecutor's office did not agree to process his complaint, saying that the issue was a private one. SPP will be contacting the prosecutor's office to intervene, because it considers the incident a threat not only to Núñez's safety, but also to journalists' work, which is to be protected as a public asset under the Constitution.

The SPP also deplores the censorship effectively imposed on its colleague Aldo Lezcano, whose radio programme in the city of Paraguarí, capital of the department of the same name, has been cancelled on the order of Colorado Party (Partido Colorado) Senator Julio César Fanego. SPP believes that Fanego, acting like a political caudillo and potentate, has systematically persecuted Lezcano as well as other journalists for investigating him or questioning his discretional powers. Fanego, a former governor and former minister of the interior, is well integrated into the government's power structure. As former minister of the interior, he shares responsibility for terrorist acts committed by the state, such as the kidnapping and torture of Juan Arrom and Anuncio Martí, who had been accused of being behind the kidnapping of María Edith de Debernardi.

In a third and separate development, Mariano Godoy, an individual allegedly deeply involved in the criminal underworld that rules the city of Salto del Guairá, capital of the Canindeyú department, is trying to muzzle ABC Color television station journalist Rosendo Duarte by suing him for alleged defamation and slander. According to information obtained by SPP, the decision to file a lawsuit was taken after a series of meetings among underworld leaders, including Godoy, other political leaders and contraband traffickers, where they debated the most appropriate way to "get this guy [Duarte] off our backs." Apparently the possibility of killing Duarte was discussed.

 

What the fuck does that mean? It's a private threat?