(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the detention of four journalists in Freetown. According to RSF’s information, on 10 June 1999 at 10 a.m. (local time), ECOMOG (West African peacekeeping force) soldiers led by Major Tanko raided newspaper offices at 1 Short Street in Freetown. They discovered weapons and ammunition inside the office of the “Independent […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the detention of four journalists in
Freetown. According to RSF’s information, on 10 June 1999 at 10 a.m. (local
time), ECOMOG (West African peacekeeping force) soldiers led by Major Tanko
raided newspaper offices at 1 Short Street in Freetown. They discovered
weapons and ammunition inside the office of the “Independent Observer”
newspaper, but many eyewitnesses have confirmed that the security forces may
have put the war materials inside the office in order to implicate Jonathan
Leigh, managing editor of the “Independent Observer”. Leigh had already been
arrested on 17 May because of an article which criticised ECOMOG, and
especially Tanko.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 11 June, 10 June and 21 May 1999**
The ECOMOG soldiers attacked the entire staff of the newspaper, including
Khadi Sesay, a pregnant secretary, who was beaten. Other media workers were
made to sit on the ground, facing the sun. Meanwhile, four journalists,
Sorie Sudan Sesay and Bai Bai Sesay, editor and administrative manager of
“Independent Observer”, respectively, and Jerry Tryson and Ibrahim Sorie
Sesay, deputy editor and reporter of the daily “The Progress”, respectively,
were beaten and taken to ECOMOG headquarters. Computers and press materials
were seized by the soldiers. Leigh was not present when the soldiers raided
the offices but he is still being sought by police and ECOMOG soldiers.
Currently, the four journalists are detained at Congo Cross police station,
under Sierra Leonean police responsibility.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the internal affairs minister:
Sesay, Bai Bai Sesay, Tryson and Ibrahim Sorie Sesay, and to release them if
they are being detained because of a press offence or because of a personal
conflict between Tanko and Leigh
on
Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which protects press freedom and
the right to inform
Appeals To
The Honourable Charles Margai
Minister of Internal Affairs
and Local Government
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
