Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Reporter Faces Trial for Defending Environment

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 29 2005 (IPS) - – Journalist Frank Mejía tried to protect the trees in the Honduran capital's main park, and ended up in the courts, accused of ''disobedience''. With the stated intention of remodeling and decorating the park, the Tegucigalpa government decided to cut down trees where numerous types of birds had built their nests.

On Jan. 6, the day the park's plaza was inaugurated after being closed to the public for one year, Mejía, who works for the local Monumental radio station, showed up carrying a protest sign, and was beaten and detained by the police.

''I don't plan to retract my statement that the city government committed an environmental crime by cutting down the trees without serious previous study. I have proof,'' Mejía told Tierramérica. Sources close to the case said that a deal might be reached between the reporter and the municipality.