Independent drug-trafficking researcher Jaime Antezana was arrested at his home in Lima on Saturday for slander against former Huanuco governor Luis Picon.
The noted sociologist says he was never notified of the charges and was surprised when two police officers arrested him at his home. The charges stem from a September 2013 article in Caretas in which Antezana alleged former Huanuco governor Luis Picon was linked to drug trafficking.
“It was a surprise when they showed me a warrant for my arrest when I was approaching the door of my house, when I have not received any notification of the charges,” Antezana said.
The article titled “Antezana’s List” named seven members of Congress who Antezana claimed warranted investigations. The first name was Nationalist Party spokesman Josue Gutierrez, who Antezana said received campaign financing from Picon. The article added that Picon was being investigated for money laundering.
Picon announced that he would seek charges for slander when the article was published two years ago.
“We believe that justice is working and it is time to make this pseudo-expert face the law,” Picon said on RPP. “This man says there is a Picon clan including my parents and my children. An expert should always show proof.”
In addition to Gutierrez, the list also featured Nationalist Party congressmen Teofilo Gamarra and Wilder Ruiz, Popular Strength congressman Federico Pariona and congresswoman Maria Magdalena, Peru Possible congressman Norman Lewis and APRA congressman Elias Rodriguez.
Several politicians have threatened Antezana with slander charges for his reports in recent years. Antezana has been particularly critical of the APRA party for the “narcopardons” scandal during the government of Alan Garcia as well as the party’s ties to jailed drug baron Gerald Oropeza in his column for La Mula.
Sources
Jaime Antezana fue detenido tras denuncia del exgobernador regional de Huánuco Luis Picón (La Mula)
“Mi tío Alan” y “toda su batería” (audio de Gerald Oropeza): la caída de Alan García. (La Mula)
La Lista de Antezana (Caretas)
Alcaldesa de VMT denunció penalmente analista Jaime Antezana (El Comercio)
Alcalde de Satipo también denunciará por difamación Jaime Antezana (El Comercio)
View Comments (1)
A person is innocent until found guilty in a court of law??? The circumstances are scary, as I - speak my mind - about people in the government also. Do I have to be looking over my shoulder about the police arresting me? Not a good situation for a Peru that wants to be taken seriously by other countries and the just concluded IMF conference.