DNA tests have established that the remains of a body found in Côte d’Ivoire were not those of Franco-Canadian journalist Guy-André Kieffer after all.
(RSF/IFEX) – 13 January 2012 – Reporters Without Borders reaffirms its support for the family of missing Franco-Canadian journalist Guy-André Kieffer, which learned yesterday that DNA tests have established that the remains of a body found last week in Côte d’Ivoire were not his after all. Kieffer has been missing since his abduction in Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, Abidjan, in April 2004.
“None of us, none of Kieffer’s relatives, friends and colleagues, will give up until the truth about his disappearance has been established and those responsible have been brought to justice,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Our organization, which is registered as an interested party in this case, urges the Ivorian and French authorities to continue working together and asks the French investigating judge, Patrick Ramaël, to keep going until justice is done.”
Referring to yesterday’s DNA results, Kieffer’s wife, Osange Silou-Kieffer, said: “This news is a relief as it encourages me to think that Guy-André could still be alive. The fight continues but the problem is unchanged. We still do not know what happened to my husband. But I would like to salute the constant efforts by Judge Ramaël, who has tirelessly examined all the clues that have emerged in the investigation and has pursued ever new lead to the end.”
Kieffer’s brother, Bernard Kieffer, said: “We are on more of a state of alert than ever as a result of this announcement and we fully support this judge, who has been making every effort since 2004 to pursue this investigation, often in very difficult circumstances. Bit by bit, we are making progress and we are getting closer to the truth.”
