Pablo Micheli, secretary general of the State Workers’ Union of Argentina (ATE) was kidnapped then released on June 16, according to a report in Página 12, a Buenos Aires-based national newspaper.
Micheli, a guest at CUPE’s national convention in Toronto last October, was kidnapped by five heavily armed individuals, carrying 9 mm guns.
“When I was arriving home in my car from work, the armed individuals detained me,” Micheli told Página 12. ”I was blindfolded with a black cloth that was put around my head and I was forced to get into a 4x4 van.
“They drove around the city for at least two hours. Those individuals also informed me that they knew the names and movements of my family, therefore, they demanded that I ‘Stop Creating Problems’.” The kidnappers then released Micheli, but his union-owned vehicle was stolen.
“I am critical of the government, but I do not believe this is coming from the government,” Micheli said at a news conference to denounce the kidnapping. ”However, the threat to my life was very clear.”
CUPE has written to Micheli and the ATE leadership to seek advice on the appropriate action.
