19 October 2011
Alert
Investigative journalist sued by president receives threat from unidentified individual
Incident details
Threat
Juan Carlos Calderón, Journalist
(Fundamedios/IFEX) - On 17 October 2011, Juan Carlos Calderón, an investigative journalist and co-author of the book "El Gran Hermano", received a threatening telephone call from an unidentified individual who warned him that he "will be next."
Calderón told Fundamedios that a masculine voice left a message on his home answering machine that said: "This is where Calderón lives, the arrogant writer. Get ready because it's your turn now."
The journalist, who is currently facing a lawsuit for "moral damages" filed by President Rafael Correa, said he is concerned for his safety and that of his family. He has never previously been threatened.
On 28 February, the president filed charges against Calderón and fellow journalist Christian Zurita , requesting US$10 million in compensation. The lawsuit arose out of the publication of the book "El Gran Hermano", which included an investigation into contracts between the president's brother, Fabricio Correa, and the government of Ecuador.
Source:
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