Peruvian Journalist Shot Dead After Receiving Death Threats

Peruvian journalist and political candidate Susy Aponte Polo, widely known as “China Polo,” has been shot dead while campaigning for political office.

Her killing occurred just one week after she publicly revealed that she had received death threats connected to an investigation she was conducting into a police chief.

Aponte Polo had been investigating the police official when she disclosed the threats against her. Despite the warning, she continued her public and political activities before she was killed while out campaigning.

The circumstances surrounding her death have drawn attention because of the reported connection between the threats she received and her investigation into the police chief.

Her killing has also raised renewed concerns about the risks faced by journalists investigating alleged wrongdoing involving authorities and powerful officials in Peru.

Authorities will now face pressure to establish who was responsible for the shooting and whether the earlier death threats were connected to her killing.