Comunicado de prensa enviado a "PReb":
Serrano, Velázquez, Gutiérez,
Ask for Independent Investigation of FBI
Actions
Washington, DC, February 14, 2006 - Citing
apparent "excessive
use of force against
journalists," by FBI
agents in a recent
operation in Puerto Rico
three Members of
Congress of Puerto Rican
origin sent the
following letter to FBI
Director Robert Mueller
today. The three Members
were José E. Serrano
(D-NY), Luis V. Gutiérrez
(D-IL) and Nydia
Velázquez (D-NY).
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M.P.I.: Movimiento Pro Independencia de Puerto
Rico
 Reacción del rep. Serrano ante informe de
la Oficina del Procurador General de los
Estados Unidos sobre la muerte de Filiberto
Ojeda Ruiz
Congresistas piden investiguen muerte de
Filiberto Ojeda
Comunicado de Prensa enviado a "PReb"
por el congresista Serrano
Serrano cuestiona Sec. del Homeland Security
ante incidentes en P.R.
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Escudo congresional |
February 14, 2006
The Honorable Robert S. Mueller, III
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigations
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20535
Dear Director Mueller:
As we wait for the results of the investigation
we requested on the Bureau operation that
led to the death of Mr. Filiberto Ojeda Rios
on September 23, 2005, we are writing today
to ask for another investigation into the
actions of the FBI last Friday, February
10, 2006, in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.
We are particularly troubled by what appeared
to be the excessive use of force against
members of the press as they attempted to
cover the FBI operation. Video of the incident
has been aired extensively in television
coverage of the day's events and is widely
available on the Internet.
All major press organizations in Puerto Rico
have vigorously condemned the violent actions
of FBI agents against members of the press.
The Chief of Police of Puerto Rico, Mr. Pedro
Toledo, criticized the close-range use of
pepper spray against reporters as "completely
outside of the norm." Furthermore, Mr.
Toledo, along with the rest of the government
of Puerto Rico, was reportedly not informed
by the FBI of the operation until after it
had ended.
We ask for an immediate independent investigation
to determine if the Bureau's use of force
was excessive or unwarranted. We request
further that, if this independent investigation
determines that violations of civil rights,
laws or procedures did in fact take place,
those responsible be brought to justice.
In our democracy, the most fundamental obligation
of law enforcement agencies is to uphold
the constitutional rights of citizens as
well as to protect the freedom of the press.
Even in Puerto Rico, where the Bureau and
its agents have a reputation for behaving
as if they are above the law, the FBI is
not exempt from these duties.
Given the urgency of the circumstances and
the nature of the incidents, we request a
response from you no later than the close
of business Thursday, February 16, 2005.
Thank you for your attention to our concerns.
Sincerely,
José E. Serrano Luis V. Gutiérrez Nydia M.
Velázquez
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member
of Congress
WASHINGTON OFFICE
2227 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3216
(202) 225-4361 |
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BRONX OFFICE
788 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, New York 10455
(718) 620-0084
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