Radio Reporter Stabbed in Dili, Timor Leste

Media Release: Timor Leste

August 14, 2012

Radio Reporter Stabbed in Dili, Timor Leste

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has received news from its affiliate the Timore Lorosa’e Journalists’ Association (TLJA) that a radio broadcaster was stabbed in Timor Leste’s capital city Dili, on August 10.

The reporter has been identified as Leoneto Gonsalves, a presenter that works at Dili-based community radio station Radio Rankambia, that covers politics and business, as well as campaigns for media freedom, social justice and development.

According to Radio Rankambia’s Director Eurico Pereira, Gonsalves was stabbed three times by two as-yet-unidentified persons on motorbikes. Gonsalves was reportedly in front of the offices of Timor Leste’s Anti-Corruption Commission, in the district of Farol, when the attack occurred.

Pereira told the TLJA that the reporter was stabbed in the stomach before his radio program on August 10.

The TLJA confirmed Gonsalves sustained serious injuries to the stomach and required surgery.

He is recovering at Guido Valadares (formerly Dili) National Hospital.
Police are still investigating the attack, and have yet to establish the motive. However, some reports have suggested a link to Gonsalves’ work on a report on corruption.

“We urge the authorities in Dili to move to quickly to establish a motive for the stabbing and arrest those responsible” said the IFJ Asia Pacific.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

© Scoop Media