(WAJA/IFEX) – On Monday, 19 April 1999, Romain Koudjodji, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Reporter”, was arrested at his residence by plainclothes police officers. The next day, he was referred to the civilian prison in Lomé. Koudjodji is accused of having published an article in the most recent issue of his newspaper, (issue no. […]
(WAJA/IFEX) – On Monday, 19 April 1999, Romain Koudjodji, the
editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Reporter”, was arrested at his
residence by plainclothes police officers. The next day, he was referred to
the civilian prison in Lomé. Koudjodji is accused of having published an
article in the most recent issue of his newspaper, (issue no. 45 of 16
April) which stated that members of the police force had arrested and
tortured a member of the opposition party Comité d’Action pour le Renouveau
(Action Committee for Renewal). The current press law in Togo does not allow
for journalists to be incarcerated before trial.
**New cases and update to IFEX alert of 10 March 1999**
In addition to this case, the editors-in-chief of the publications “Le
Regard” and “Nouvel Echo” are currently in hiding as they have been
receiving threats further to the publication of articles critical of the
government in their most recent issues (19 and 23 April 1999).
On 4 April, police officers who had been criticised in the newspaper
“Tingo-Tingo” went to the newspaper’s offices and beat a number of
journalists.
On 12 April, copies of the newspaper “Le Combat du Peuple” were seized at
newspaper stands.
In addition, Elias Hounkanly and Agbéko Amewouho, who spent eight and five
months in prison, respectively, were tried on 28 April, received a suspended
three-month prison sentence, and were sentenced to pay a one million CFA
franc fine (US$1,700, approx.) and a symbolic one franc fine to the
presidential couple. They were immediately released at the end of the trial.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
face
trial
Appeals To
President Gnassingbe Eyadéma
Office of the President
Lome, Togo
Fax: + 228 21 18 97
Send an e-mail to the President through the following Internet page:
http://www.republicoftogo.com/english/ecrir-pdt.html
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
