AUTHORITIES ARREST VENEZUELAN TELESUR

UNCLAS BOGOTA 010637 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM VE CO SUBJECT: AUTHORITIES ARREST VENEZUELAN TELESUR CORRESPONDENT FOR TERRORISM ¶1. (U) On November 19, immigration authorities from the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) detained Freddy Munoz Altamiranda on suspicion of terrorism and rebellion, as he attempted to enter the country through El Dorado Airport. Munoz, a Colombian citizen, is an international correspondent for Venezuelan television station Telesur. The Prosecutor General's Office in Barranquilla is charging Munoz with having planted and activated explosives in an electric substation, a department store, and a supermarket. In addition, the Prosecutor General's Office alleges Munoz manufactured an explosive that accidentally killed a co-conspirator, alias Moises. The incidents took place in or around Cartagena in 2002 and 2003. ¶2. (SBU) A report by the Prosecutor General's Office states Freddy Munoz (alias Jorge Eliecer) allegedly belonged to the 37th Front of the FARC. The Prosecutor General's Office opened the investigation into Munoz in August 2006, derived from a Colombian Navy intelligence report. The arrest warrant, issued November 10, is based in part on witness testimony. The Director of the Prosecutor General's Office in Barranquilla said he expected Munoz to arrive in that city for arraignment on November 20. ¶3. (U) The Colombian Foundation for Freedom of Press quoted Munoz from his place of reclusion, stating, "The free press is once more threatened by those who use coercion, fear, lies to force its submission." WOOD