(IFJ/IFEX) – The IFJ is disturbed by the recent prosecutions of staff at “The Post”. According to the IFJ’s information, Brighton Phiri, Kelvin Shimo, Joe Kaunda, Amos Malupenga, Lubasi Katunda and Goodson Machona of “The Post” were charged with espionage on 17 March 1999 and granted bail of K100 000 (US$43) each on the morning […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The IFJ is disturbed by the recent prosecutions of staff at
“The Post”. According to the IFJ’s information, Brighton Phiri, Kelvin
Shimo, Joe Kaunda, Amos Malupenga, Lubasi Katunda and Goodson Machona
of
“The Post” were charged with espionage on 17 March 1999 and granted bail
of
K100 000 (US$43) each on the morning of 18 March.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 March, 17 March, 15 March, 12 March, 11
March
and 10 March 1999**
These charges arise out of the publication by “The Post” of an article
on
the incapacity of Zambian forces to withstand an attack from Angolan
forces.
The arrest of the reporters was coupled with a siege of “The Post”
editorial
offices and its separately located printing press, resulting in a delay
of
several hours in the printing of the paper.
The journalists were originally arrested on 9 and 10 March, but were
released on 12 March following an application of habeas corpus. On 17
March,
police issued summonses and formally charged the six with espionage.
The IFJ has seen the article and does not consider that a charge of
espionage is justified in these circumstances.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
the
blocking of the circulation of “The Post” after the “offending” article
had
appeared
action suggests
that they were using the appearance of the article as an excuse to shut
down
“The Post”, an action which they have failed to fulfil in the past
despite
various suits and attacks against the paper
Appeals To
Frederick Chiluba
President of the Republic of Zambia
State House
Lusaka, Zambia
Fax: +260 1 221939
E-mail: state@zamnet.zm / mfalus@zamnet.zm
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
