Azerbaijan: Journalist beaten
Agil Khalilov, a reporter for the Azerbaijani daily paper Azadlig, was beaten whilst filming an illegal land sale.
Reporter shot on Journalist Day
A journalist was shot dead in Algeciras as Colombia celebrated the national Day of the Journalist.
Gabon: journalist intimidated
Repé Kabamba, a Congolese freelance journalist, was arrested last Thursday, 7 February, by members of Gabon government security organisation B2. He had been his way to interview the head of the Office of Ports and Harbours (OPRAG), in Libreville, about allegations of embezzlement. The B2 unit is run by the brother of the OPRAG director, Jean-Pierre Oyiba. Kabamba was released the next day, after having his house searched without a warrant and his residence permit, press card, diplomas and mobile phones confiscated.
Journalist assaulted during live broadcast
Radio journalist Alejandro Rupay was assaulted during a live broadcast on 30 January. Rupay, a presenter with Radio FM 98 in the town of Tingo Maria, central Peru, was beaten and threatened after the brother of the district’s governor burst into the studio during transmission. Rupay was hit in the face and warned to “stop irritating the governor or worse will happen to you”. The assault occurred a week after Rupay had made comments alleging the governor had been involved in corruption.