(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 […]
(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:
will
to defend press freedom
release
Appeals To
Mr. Kouakou Brou
Minister of Justice
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
