By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia—A Colombian judge has issued an international arrest warrant for William Parra, a journalist, alleging that he has links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  Parra and his supporters deny any such involvement and claim that the warrant is an effort to silence journalists who are critical of the Colombian government.

“As the innocent person I am, I have asked and will continue to demand that my fundamental rights be respected,” Parra said.  In a statement, he accused Colombian officials of multiple rights violations, including denial of due process.  He claimed that his attorneys were not granted sufficient access to defend him in court and that he has not been adequately informed about any evidence against him.

According to Colombian prosecutors, Parra’s name appears in some emails that were found on the laptop of a high-ranking FARC member, deputy commander Raul Reyes.

William Parra made a name for himself after joining the Venezuelan television network Telesur in 2006.  Telesur is financed by leftist President Hugo Chavez and has been critical of the Colombian government.  Parra worked for the network until 2008 when he became an independent journalist.

Parra’s attorney, Sandra Gamboa, has stated that the warrant violates international law.  Though a Colombian, Parra has been in exile in Venezuela and was granted refugee status there in March.  Gamboa said that the warrant contains irregularities and violates her client’s defense rights.

Telesur released a statement that read in part, “Any investigation that the Colombian authorities bring against William Parra does not link Telesur in any way.  Telesur rejects this new effort to criminalize its journalistic work.”  The network added that Parra “always acted with integrity and professional quality.”

Reporters Without Borders, a group that defends the freedom of the press, has questioned the motives behind the warrant, pointing out that the Colombian government has harassed Telesur employees in the past.

Parra said he plans to appeal all allegations to international bodies.  All other individuals who have been indicted for “FARC politics” as a result of their names being found on Reyes’ laptop have had their charges dropped because of lack of evidence.

For more information, please see:

Reporters Without Borders-Belated proceedings against former Telesur reporter William Parra-9 September 2010

CNN-Colombia journalist wanted for rebel ties-8 September 2010

Colombia Reports-Judge seeks arrest of journalist accused of FARC links-7 September 2010