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Víctor Chalá charged with murder of journalist Mateo Pérez in Colombia
The Colombian Prosecutor's Office has charged John Edison Chalá Torrejano, known as ‘Víctor Chalá’, a leader of the FARC dissidents' Front 36, for the kidnapping and murder of independent journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda.
The incident occurred on May 5 in the rural area of Briceño, Antioquia. According to investigators, Pérez Rueda was traveling by motorcycle to the Palmichal district for work when he was intercepted by armed men and taken to a local school. Chalá allegedly interrogated the journalist and reviewed his mobile phone, accusing him of collaborating with the National Army after finding a chat with a military member.
Prosecutors state that Chalá shot Pérez Rueda in an attempt to extract information and subsequently ordered his subordinates to bury him in a ditch. The journalist's body was recovered two days later by a humanitarian commission.
Chalá, who was captured in Tolima on June 12, faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, torture, forced disappearance, homicide, and illegal possession of firearms. He has not accepted the charges.
Entities
Antioquia · FARC dissidents · Fiscalía General de la Nación · John Edison Chalá Torrejano · Mateo Pérez Rueda
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The victim's body was recovered two days later between the Palmichal and El Hoyo districts. www.lasillavacia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chalá was captured on June 12 in Tolima. www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Chalá also faces charges related to the illegal manufacture, trafficking, and possession of firearms and ammunition. larazon.co · laopinion.co · www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The charges against Chalá include aggravated kidnapping, torture, forced disappearance, and homicide. larazon.co · laopinion.co · www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] John Edison Chalá Torrejano, leader of the FARC dissidents' Front 36, has been charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda. larazon.co · laopinion.co · www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Chalá allegedly accused the journalist of collaborating with the military after reviewing a chat on the victim's phone. larazon.co · laopinion.co · www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The accused did not accept the charges brought by the prosecution. larazon.co · laopinion.co · www.lasillavacia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mateo Pérez Rueda was intercepted by armed men while traveling by motorcycle to the Palmichal district for work. larazon.co · laopinion.co