The International Press Institute (IPI) urges the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into recent attacks against, and harassment of, journalists in the Mexican state of Chiapas, in the southern part of the country.

Jacobo Elnecavé Luttman, 31, has been in critical condition for almost three weeks after six individuals brutally beat him on 19 June while he was at a nightclub. He is the host of a radio and TV news program for the regional official broadcaster, works at the Autonomous University of Chiapas and collaborates with the Latin-American Organization for the Defense of Democracy (www.oladd.org) and the Mexican Jewish Forum (www.forojudio.com).

Elnecavé underwent surgery to avoid losing 20% of his face, to which he had a 20 cm wound. In addition, his nose was fractured and he suffered head trauma. He was taken to Mexico City for appropriate treatment, but his health worsened on 25 June when he suffered a pulmonary embolism.

The victim told IPI that before the aggressors wounded him, one of them grabbed his face and told him “This is for Álvarez Puga. This is also for Pablo (Salazar) and Isaín (Mandujano)”.  Elnecavé had written about alleged irregularities at Álvarez Puga & Associated, a company related to Pablo Salazar Mendiguchía, a former governor of Chiapas who was recently imprisoned on corruption charges. Isaín Mandujano (37) is a correspondent for Proceso magazine and director of a journalistic blog.

Raciel López Salazar, the Chiapas Attorney General, affirmed that one aggressor had mentioned the journalist´s name during the attack. Nevertheless, some days after the incident he dismissed any participation by Isaín Mandujano in the attack. López Salazar said that investigators had interviewed Elnecavé and workers at the nightclub, and had identified a suspect after analyzing CCTV footage.

Mandujano assumes he was implicated as part of a campaign to discredit him.  Several organizations signed a statement expressing concern and indignation over “increasingly frequent harassment” against him. They said that journalists using social networks to gather and transmit critical information are receiving threats.

“I have condemned the aggression against Elnecavé since the beginning and have demanded that those who are responsible be brought to justice,” Mandujano told IPI. “If they have mentioned my name, that is not enough proof to incriminate me. I told the Attorney General that, if necessary, I will testify.”

Elnecavé said that as Mandujano has powerful friends, he used the first days of the case to portray himself as a victim, and ask for support. “What just happened is very dangerous,” Elnecavé said. “ A group of journalists went from Mexico City to Chiapas to terrorize the Attorney. That led him to declare that Mandujano is not involved in anything.  I cannot ensure that Isain sent someone to do this to me; all I can say is that I heard his name.” Elnecavé said he had asked for an investigation.

After conversations with both journalists, it has come to the attention of IPI that they accuse each other of supporting either the former governor, Pablo Salazar, or the present one, Juan Sabines. Each of the two journalists suggests that the other has power and contacts; however, they both claim to be committed to critical and independent journalism, feel they are being attacked because of their profession, and say they bear each other no personal animosity. Given the complexity of the situation, IPI believes that an unprejudiced investigation is needed and that journalists in Chiapas, no matter what their editorial stance is, should be able to work without compromising their safety. Reporters from the region have reported harassment.

On 28 June the National Commission of Human Rights initiated an investigation on charges of attempted homicide, injuries and threats against Elnecavé, as part of its Program of Injuries to Journalists and Civil Rights Supporters. The journalist will also sue several organizations which he considers have been slandering him.

Before 19 June, Elnecavé had received threats alluding to his Jewish origin, the Mexican press reported. Elnecavé believes they were prompted by his investigative pieces on former governor Pablo Salazar. “While Mandujano was defending him with his articles, I was saying he was a criminal,” the reporter said.

Mandujano denies any link with the former governor and the Alvarez Puga group. “I would never do anything to Jacobo, because doing something against him is messing with the state itself,” Mandujano insisted.