(RSF/IFEX) – On 23 December 2003, a Niamey court handed Mamane Abou, director of the independent weekly “Le Républicain”, a four-month suspended prison sentence. The journalist was also ordered to pay a fine of two million CFA francs (approx. US$3,780; 3,050 euros) for defaming former finance minister Ali Badjo Gamatié and current Prime Minister Hama […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 23 December 2003, a Niamey court handed Mamane Abou, director of the independent weekly “Le Républicain”, a four-month suspended prison sentence. The journalist was also ordered to pay a fine of two million CFA francs (approx. US$3,780; 3,050 euros) for defaming former finance minister Ali Badjo Gamatié and current Prime Minister Hama Amadou.
This latest ruling replaces a previous sentence against the journalist, handed down on 7 November. At the time, Abou was sentenced to six months in prison with no parole and ordered to pay a fine of 300,000 CFA francs (approx. US$565; 450 euros). Neither Abou nor his lawyers were present at the previous hearing. The journalist did not obtain a conditional release, as he is still awaiting a ruling in the second part of his trial, based on a separate charge of stealing official government documents.
“We welcome the court’s decision to replace the previous ruling with a suspended sentence. However, we cannot accept the fact that the director of an independent media outlet can be found guilty of defamation simply for divulging fraudulent government practices, backed by factual evidence,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said. “As we await a verdict on the charge of stealing official government documents, we ask the authorities to grant Mr. Abou a conditional release. He has already spent two months in prison,” Ménard added.
RSF recalls that, in accordance with United Nations recommendations, the size of fines handed to journalists should not be disproportionate to the harm suffered by the alleged victim. Moreover, journalists should never be handed prison sentences for press offences.
Abou has been detained at Niamey’s central prison since 5 November. He was accused of publishing several confidential Public Treasury documents indicating that the finance minister had misappropriated funds. He remains imprisoned as he awaits a decision on a separate charge of stealing official government documents. The date of the hearing for the second part of his trial has not been announced to date.
