4 June 1999

Alert

Four journalists released, one still detained


Incident details

Raphaël Lakpé, Idrissa Bamba, Shran Haïsy, Junior Mohamed Ouattara and Yves Abiet

journalist(s)

released


(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has learned that four journalists from the newspaper "Le
Populaire" have been released, but recalls that Raphaël Lakpé, the
newspaper's editor-in-chief, is still being held at Abidjan's Maison d'arrêt
et de correction (Arrest and Corrections House, MACA). He has been detained
there since 28 April 1999.





**Updates IFEX alert of 2 June 1999**

Idrissa Bamba, Shran Haïsy, Junior Mohamed Ouattara and Yves Abiet were
released on the evening of Thursday 3 June. The journalists had been accused
of "insulting the Head of State" for having written two articles stating
that he had purchased his doctorate.

Lakpé is accused of "disturbing the public order and distributing false
news" for having published an article on 28 April which stated that a
student had died during demonstrations in Abidjan. In fact, the student had
only been injured, and "Le Populaire" published a correction the following
day.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to the justice minister:
  • noting that Côte d'Ivoire has on numerous occasions demonstrated its
    will
    to defend press freedom
  • urging him, as such, to continue his efforts towards ensuring Lakpé's
    release




    Appeals To



    Mr. Kouakou Brou
    Minister of Justice
    Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire







    Please copy appeals to the source if possible.





    Source:

    Putting free expression issues in perspective.

    Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

    • More on this case

    Publisher released, CPJ concerned over deterioration of press freedom 1 November 1999 Two journalists receive six-month prison sentence 29 October 1999 Continued detention of publisher and reporter 13 September 1999 Journalist held for four months without trial in Abidjan 27 August 1999 Two journalists still detained in Ivory Coast 30 June 1999 RSF asks for the release of two journalists 10 June 1999 Five journalists detained 2 June 1999

    At a glance

    Côte d'Ivoire
    Côte d'Ivoire
     
    Key reports and information
     
    IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
    Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.