Protesters torch and ransack El Chubut offices in Argentine
On December 20, a group of unidentified individuals gathered at the newspaper's HQ in Trelew, in the southern province of Chubut, threw rocks and firebombs at the building, breaking windows and setting several fires.
The attackers entered the building where the radio station is located and ransacked it for several hours, damaging and stealing equipment and archival materials. Police evacuated journalists and staff, and no one was injured.
There were protests against the mining zone ordinance, which was passed by provincial authorities on December 19, when the attack occurred, according to news reports. During the protests, the reports said, at least 16 buildings, including the Supreme Tribunal's offices, were set on fire or damaged.
According to an article in El Chubut, there was a call on social media for people to gather in front of the newspaper's offices just hours before the demonstration. There is no mention of possible motives for the attack in Giménez or in El Chubut's reporting.
An investigation has been launched by the Chubut prosecutor-general into the attack on El Chubut and the other buildings damaged, according to press reports and the report in the newspaper.
