Radio reporter stabbed while working on corruption story

Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns an attempt to murder radio reporter Leoneto da Cruz Goncalves, who was seriously injured when two men on a motorcycle stabbed him outside the Anti-Corruption Commission's office in the district of Farol, in the capital, Dili, two days ago. Goncalves works for Radio Rakambia, a station that covers politics and business and campaigns for social justice, development and media freedom. Reporters Without Borders urge investigators to take account of Goncalves’ work as a journalist and, in particular, the possibility that the attack was linked to the corruption story he was doing at the time. After the attack, which took place at around 5:45 a.m., Goncalves sought help in the neighbourhood where Radio Rakambia is located. He was then admitted to Guido Valadares Hospital, where he underwent surgery to three stab wounds to the abdomen. The police were quick to start an investigation but are still in the dark about the motive. East Timor is ranked 86th out of 179 countries in the 2011/2012 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.