(IFJ/IFEX) – Gilbert Bablee, a journalist with “Defi-Plus”, was arrested in late September 1997 by police officers while he was interviewing businessman Virendra Ramdhun in a restaurant. Ramdhun had accused Bablee of being in possession of documents which had disappeared from Ramdhun’s office. Bablee informed the police that he had received copies of the document […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – Gilbert Bablee, a journalist with “Defi-Plus”, was
arrested in late September 1997 by police officers while he was
interviewing businessman Virendra Ramdhun in a restaurant.
Ramdhun had accused Bablee of being in possession of documents
which had disappeared from Ramdhun’s office. Bablee informed the
police that he had received copies of the document through the
post and was trying to verify their content with Ramdhun.
The police took Bablee to the police station and confiscated the
documents. He was later released after questioning.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Bablee was following professional standards by trying to confirm
the information that he had received
attacks on press freedom, since not only were their actions
precipitous and oppressive, they also send out a signal that
being open and professional is more dangerous for a journalist
than being underhand
and that all agents of the state understand that interference
with journalists in the course of their profession is totally
unacceptable
Appeals To
Cassam Uteem
President
Port Louis, MauritiusPleas send appeals to the following organisations, which will
then forward them to President Uteem:Finlay Salesse
Secretary General
Media Trust
Port Louis, Mauritius
Fax: +230 454 3420Association des journalistes professionels du Maurice
Fax: +230 211 8059
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
