The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Peruvian authorities to launch an immediate investigation to find the killers of journalist Julio Cesar Castillo who was gunned down on 3 May in Viru, a town in the northern province of La Libertad. The journalist was shot dead in a restaurant by four armed men who fled afterwards.

"This is a shocking cold blooded murder and we urge the authorities to leave no stone unturned in the hunt for our colleague's killers who must face justice," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "It appears that the victim received threats prior to his murder, suggesting he was targeted for his journalistic work. The fact that he was killed on World Press Freedom Day adds to the hurt and the suffering from this tragedy but should also strengthen our resolve to stop violence against journalists."

According to the Asociación Nacional de Periodistas del Perú (ANP), an IFJ affiliate, four gunmen burst into the restaurant where Castillo was eating and fired six times at him from close range, killing the journalist instantly. The ANP says the journalist who presented the ‘Noticiero Ollantay' programme on a local station had received death threats since March, following his revelations of corruption involving local officials.

The Police have indicated they found a message threatening other journalists on Castillo's phone and have identified one of the suspects in the journalist's murder, says the ANP.

The IFJ shares concerns over the impact of this killing on other Peruvian journalists in the current electoral period and backs the ANP's appeal to all political parties to respect the independence of journalists.

"The climate of intolerance at electoral time has in the past led to massive resignations and dismissals of journalists due to political pressure," said Zuliana Lainez, ANP General Secretary. "We call for an end to all forms of interference in media affairs."

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 members in 131 countries