Journalist threatened for investigating corruption in Paraná.

247, with Esmae's Blogl - A journalist who was investigating allegations of corruption and pedophilia committed by state public officials in the municipality of Londrina (northern Paraná) was persecuted and received death threats last week, forcing him to leave the state for security reasons. The incident, which occurred on the 9th, was made public this Friday by the Paraná Union of Professional Journalists, after confirming that the journalist was safe.

James Alberti, a producer for RPC, an affiliate of Rede Globo in Paraná, was in Londrina to further investigate a corruption and pedophilia network within the Paraná State Revenue Service, which has already led to the arrest of approximately 20 people, including a cousin of Governor Beto Richa, Luiz Abi Antoun, and a state government advisor, Marcelo Caramori. According to the journalists' union, he was persecuted and his life threatened by a phone call "revealing a scheme to kill him through an alleged robbery at a steakhouse where he used to dine during his stay in the city." Upon receiving the complaint, RPC reportedly arranged for the journalist's removal from the city and his transfer out of state to a secret location.

In a statement, the management of the Paranaense Communication Group (GRPCOM), of which RPC is a part, reports that it "denounced to the Federal Police, the Gaeco (Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime), and the State Government that, for several days, in a clear act of intimidation and threats, strangers followed the movements of its journalists assigned to cover the allegations of pedophilia and corruption in Londrina. The Gaeco has already begun an investigation to identify these people."

GRPCOM also states that it has taken a series of measures to guarantee the safety and physical integrity of its journalists. It has also made internal adjustments to preserve the work of its professionals and maintain journalistic coverage. "GRPCOM repudiates any attempt to restrict freedom of information and reaffirms its commitment to continue following the allegations of corruption and pedophilia in Londrina until the conclusion of all investigations by the Police and the Judiciary."

This is the second time this month that journalists from Paraná have been threatened. Last week, the union denounced that reporters from the Gazeta do Povo newspaper were being coerced by the state's civil and military police to break source confidentiality and reveal how they obtained information for a series of reports exposing police misconduct, in the award-winning series "Police Outside the Law." According to the journalists, they were constantly being summoned to give statements and insistently questioned to reveal their sources. In 2012, also for denouncing irregularities committed by police officers, journalist Mauri Konig, also from Gazeta do Povo, was forced to leave the country due to threats.

 “It is unacceptable, for a society that seeks to strengthen its democracy, that journalists are subjected to this type of situation. First, journalists are coerced by public authorities to reveal their sources. Now, a professional has their life threatened simply for exercising their profession. When one journalist has this right threatened, all other journalists will too. It is a precedent that is being set and that puts democracy at risk,” said the union president, Guilherme Carvalho.

Farm

The Special Task Force to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco), the police arm of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraná, is investigating the purchase of a farm by lobbyist Luiz Abi Antoun, cousin of Governor Beto Richa (PSDB), in the municipality of Assaí, in the north of the state.

According to sources from Blog do Esmael in the municipality, the governor's relative bought 10 alqueires of land through the company KLM Empreendimentos with the help of the city's mayor, Luiz Alberto Vicente, known as Mestiço. He had power of attorney from Abi to act between the two parties (the buyer and the seller).

According to a property registration certificate dated April 6th, the land was acquired for R$ 200 (see document dated November 2013). However, according to local residents, the farm is worth at least R$ 1 million.

The Gaeco (Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime) is investigating whether the area was purchased with bribe money from the State Revenue Service. The property was allegedly intended for the construction of low-income housing.

Coincidentally, Mestiço was the CEO of Deto (Department of Official Transportation), which manages the state government's vehicles, appointed by Luiz Abi.

Another coincidence: former congressman André Vargas is from Assaí, which is located in the metropolitan region of Londrina.

This Friday (17), it came to light that the Lava Jato operation hit the Beto Richa government hard. Public companies in the State made deals worth R$ 18 million with the former vice-president of the Chamber.