(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 24 June 2004, at approximately 11:30 a.m. (local time), plainclothes security forces agents arrested journalist Rewati Sapkota at his residence in Chabahil. A reporter with the daily “Rajdhani”, Sapkota was released after a few hours in detention. The agents took him to an unknown destination, saying only that it was for an […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 24 June 2004, at approximately 11:30 a.m. (local time), plainclothes security forces agents arrested journalist Rewati Sapkota at his residence in Chabahil. A reporter with the daily “Rajdhani”, Sapkota was released after a few hours in detention. The agents took him to an unknown destination, saying only that it was for an “urgent discussion.” They did not produce a warrant for his arrest. According to CEHURDES sources, the journalist was not allowed to inform his newspaper of his arrest.
CEHURDES notes that journalists are routinely arrested by security forces for alleged connections with Maoist rebels.
CEHURDES condemns Sapkota’s arrest and urges the security forces to respect press freedom, freedom of expression and citizens’ civil liberties.
