Evany José Metzker

Evany José Metzker (died 2015) was a Brazilian blogger and journalist.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Career

According to police, Metzker had received many death threats during his career.

Death

Evany José Metzker was tortured, scalped, and then beheaded.^[1] Metzker had been working on a series of stories in Jequiitinhonha Valley which is known as one of Brazil's poorest regions. Records state that Metzker had been investigating political corruption, child prostitution, and drug dealing. In Metzker's blog he often reported on corrupt officials and politicians. He was missing for five days before police found his body. His family said police had received an anonymous tip where they could find his remains. His body was found near Padre Paraiso in Minas Gerais. Reporters say that "his hands were tied behind his back and his body showed signs of torture." Metzker's wife thinks that the reason he was finally killed after being there for months was because he hit on something.^[6]

Context

At least fourteen journalists have been killed since 2011 in retaliation for their work. Brazil is the third most dangerous country for journalists in Latin America (after Mexico and Colombia).^[1][7] Other journalists were killed around Metker's murder.^[8]

Reactions

UNESCO,^[9] Reporters Without Borders, an international NGO, released an official statement in reaction to the murder^[10] as did the Minas Gerais Journalists Union, which is a regional organization.^[11]

References