Raúl Celis López: The homicide of a famend Peruvian journalist unleashes a wave of protests in Iquitos | EUROtoday

Every morning the journalist Raúl Celis López left his home in gloom, shortly after 5 within the morning, whereas town of Iquitos nonetheless slept. It was collected by a trusted motorbike who took him first to gather the newspaper package deal of the day after which to Radio La Karibeña the place this system has been driving for a number of years Zero -houran informative very centered on the Peruvian jungle. This Wednesday gave the impression to be one other day, when on the crossroads of Brazil and Fanning streets a bike closed their passage, round 5.20. The driver thought it was an assault and made a Zigzag maneuver, however listening to three photographs misplaced management and his automobile fell off. When he regarded up, Raúl Celis López was inert, with exorbitant eyes, and blood stained. They had not stolen something. The aim was to finish his life and achieved it with three bullets within the neck.

Raúl Celis López was one of the crucial acknowledged voices within the Loreto area. He had greater than 4 a long time given to journalism and on May 18 he was going to show 71. His fashion, they inform his listeners, he was vital and scathing with the ability on responsibility. He denounced the irregularities of the regional authorities each day and used to alert his viewers of how organized crime had prolonged his tentacles within the Amazon. In places the place the Internet connection is scarce, the radio continues to be the mass medium par excellence. Therefore, the picture of Celis’s physique, hanging from the Mototaxi, rapidly infected the inhabitants that took to the streets to specific their outrage.

“No more impunity, no more corruption, no more innocent blood,” the residents shouted in entrance of the Public Ministry of Iquitos. The inhabitants has demanded concrete actions to fight the mafias and, as well as, the dismissal of the pinnacle of the Macro Police Region of Loreto, General Glenn Anthony García Chávez. The rigidity elevated when folks hit the official autos of the Public Ministry and the Police. Just as in mid -March the homicide of Paul Flores, the Russian, singer of the Cumbia orchestra Harmony 10, concided the generalized indignation, the crime of the journalist Raúl Celis López has mobilized Iquitos. A march for this Wednesday afternoon has been convened within the twenty eighth Plaza July. “The hitmen are killing us and the authorities do nothing,” says the poster.

It is the second crime that recollects this area that limits with Ecuador. A number of days in the past a 21 -year -old lady who attended at a service station, situated just a few meters from a police headquarters, was killed for resisting the theft of gross sales cash. Luz Mariana Enable Montalván didn’t wish to ship the kangaroo the place he stored 20,000 soles ($ 5,479) and a prison shot him within the stomach, drilling a lung. While the insecurity disaster that Lima has crossed has monopolized consideration, the prison wave is clearly current in all corners of Peru.

The homicide of Raúl Celis López joins that of his colleague Gastón Medina, radio broadcaster and director of South TV chain, who was riddled on the door of his home, within the coastal area of Ica, final January. “This situation demonstrates the absence of guarantees in favor of journalists in the country, as well as the delay in investigations and lack of access to justice. The State must ensure that journalists perform their work in an environment free of violence,” stated the Ombudsman’s Office. Ángel Páez, Head of the Diario’s Research Unit The Republic, He confirmed his solidarity with the homicide of Celis López. “Organized crime intends to silence ourselves. Let’s continue publishing!”, He urged the journalistic guild.

The Fifth Corporate Criminal Provincial Prosecutor of Maynas has initiated a preliminary investigation into the case. The municipality has made obtainable to the police the pictures captured by video surveillance cameras. In addition, the Pulsar motorbike that might have been utilized by the hitmen was deserted within the San Francisco passage. Meanwhile, Ramiro Celis, the sufferer’s son, has slipped the chance that the assault might be a revenge. “My father has always been a journalist who had character and firmness to say things. Nothing has never silenced and that may have earned him some enemies. I demand the Loreto Police general to do justice. These miserable cannot snatch the life of people. Our country is bleeding by authorities that do not fulfill their work,” he stated with indignation. The motorbike taxi driver has additionally informed that the journalist had deliberate to alter the route.

Radio La Karibeña, the atmosphere for which Raúl Celis López labored, has expressed his remorse: “His memory will remain alive in the memory of those who knew him and appreciated his valuable contribution to national journalism.” Loretano by delivery, the 70 -year -old radial driver might be veiled at residence since Wednesday afternoon. While the prosecution research the traces of investigation, their listeners really feel desolate. They is not going to hear the voice that accompanied them each morning.