Nicaraguan police detain journalist Miguel Mendoza for alleged treason
New York, June 23, 2021 — Nicaraguan authorities should immediately release journalist Miguel Mendoza, drop the criminal investigation into him, and halt the escalating campaign of harassment against the independent press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 9 p.m. on June 21, officers with the Nicaraguan National Police detained Mendoza and raided…
CPJ joins call for US to investigate Egypt’s alleged role in Khashoggi murder
The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined seven other civil society groups in a joint statement calling on the United States government to transparently investigate any role Egyptian officials may have played in the killing of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi, and to publicly disclose any findings from that investigation. On June 21,…
Cuban journalist Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca held by police since June 15
Miami, June 22, 2021 — Cuban authorities must immediately release journalist Lázaro Yuri Valle Roca, drop any charges against him, and allow the press to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 15, agents from the Cuban Revolutionary Police detained Valle when he presented himself at the Zapata y C police…
Mexican reporter Gustavo Sánchez shot and killed in Oaxaca
Mexico City, June 22, 2021 – Mexican authorities should conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the killing of journalist Gustavo Sánchez Cabrera, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 8 a.m. on June 17, two unidentified people driving a car near the town of Morro Mazatán, in the southern state of…
Police investigate The Intercept Brasil editor Leandro Demori over reporting on police killings
Rio de Janeiro, June 21, 2021 – Authorities in Rio de Janeiro should immediately drop a criminal investigation into journalist Leandro Demori, and stop using the threat of criminal charges to intimidate journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 12, the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police Unit for Repression of Cyber Crimes…
Murderer of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez sentenced to 32 years in prison
Mexico City, June 18, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed yesterday’s sentencing of Juan Francisco Picos Barrueta, known as “El Quillo,” one of the murderers of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas, and called on Mexican federal authorities to redouble their efforts to have the alleged mastermind of the killing extradited to and tried in…
Salvadoran court orders Revista Factum to take down reporting on murder case
Guatemala City, June 17, 2021 – Salvadoran authorities should immediately rescind a court order requiring the independent news website Revista Factum to take down an article, and should allow the media to report freely on issues of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 14, the First Peace Court in the…
At-risk journalists who must flee home countries often find few quick and safe options
In 2018, journalist Mohammad Shubaat was in Daraa, Syria, caught between advancing forces aligned with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the closed borders of Israel and Jordan. Despite the dire threat to Shubaat and many of his colleagues, it would take over a year of intense negotiations with some 20 countries by the Committee to…
Colombian journalist Pincen Mora survives shooting attempt at home in Medellín
Bogotá, June 16, 2021 – Colombian authorities should thoroughly investigate the attempted shooting of journalist Pincen Mora, hold the perpetrators to account, and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 8, at about 5 p.m., a group of eight unidentified men on motorcycles stopped at the home and office of Mora,…
Former Mexican mayor convicted for role in murder of reporter Miroslava Breach
Mexico City, June 16, 2021 – In response to yesterday’s sentencing of Hugo Amed Schultz Alcaraz to eight years in prison for his role in the 2017 murder of Mexican reporter Miroslava Breach Velducea, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “After several recent sentences in the Javier Valdez Cardenas and Miroslava Breach…