Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Colombia: Radio host critical of local administration killed

IFEX

Around 7p.m. on 11 September 2013, Édison Alberto Molina was killed on his way home, after leaving the community radio station where he hosted the programme “Consultorio Jurídico” (“The Legal Office”).

Molina was a lawyer and worked at the station Puerto Berrio Stereo every Wednesday, where he would help solve legal questions from listeners. According to the Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP), he also made statements on air about administrative corruption and told his audience about visits that financial authorities, such as the comptroller, were making in certain areas of the city.

Fifteen days before his death, Molina's office was stoned and he received threatening calls in response to statements he had made on his show, according to FLIP research.

After the murder, authorities named a security council to investigate the incident. They have also offered 20 million pesos (approx. US$ 10,400) for information leading to the arrests of those responsible.

FLIP calls on police and the public prosecutor's office to continue the investigations and determine what took place as soon as possible.