UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF GUATEMALAN JOURNALIST

UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF GUATEMALAN JOURNALIST
New York, May 17 2007 9:00AM
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the murder of Mario Rolando López Sánchez, a producer for the Guatemalan station Radio Sonora.

The crime occurred on 3 May, which is commemorated as World Press Freedom Day, and UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said it was disturbing that this "should become a day of mourning due to another violent act by people who resort to guns to silence their critics."

He voiced confidence that action would be taken in response, saying, "I trust that the Guatemalan authorities will do their utmost to arrest and bring to justice the culprits of this crime."

The 64-year old journalist was hit by several gunshots a few metres from his home. Head producer for Radio Sonora, he also co-produced for the last 14 years a daily programme about politics, entitled Casos y Cosas de la Vida Nacional (Cases and things concerning the life of the nation).

According to Arnulfo Agustín Guzmán, Director of Radio Sonora, the murder cannot be considered an ordinary crime as the victim's car and personal effects were not stolen.

2007-05-17 00:00:00.000

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