Ecuador, government fails to return seized equipment to magazine

Ecuadorian authorities have been holding computers and equipment belonging to the critical newsmagazine Vanguardia since a police raid on its offices a month ago. The Committee to Protect Journalists has concluded the seizure was reprisal for the magazine’s editorial positions and calls on authorities to return the property. On December 17, armed members of the Ecuadoran special police force raided Vanguardia’s editorial offices in Quito, searched employees, and seized equipment, including 35 hard drives, Editor Juan Carlos Calderón told CPJ. Authorities said the action was taken as part of an eviction proceeding involving the state-owned offices. Read Article