(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Security Condé Kouressy, RSF has protested the arrest of Aboubacar Sylla in Conakry. The organisation asked for an explanation for this arrest. Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, added: “if it turns out that his arrest is connected to his role as owner of a press group, our organisation […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Security Condé Kouressy, RSF has protested the arrest of Aboubacar Sylla in Conakry. The organisation asked for an explanation for this arrest. Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, added: “if it turns out that his arrest is connected to his role as owner of a press group, our organisation asks that you release him immediately.”
According to RSF’s information, on the night of 3 to 4 December 1999, Sylla, owner of the two weeklies “L’Indépendant” and “L’Indépendant Plus”, was arrested by twelve police officers and taken to the offices of the mobile intervention and security police force in Conakry. No explanation was offered for his arrest. The two publications had been conducting investigations about financial embezzlement which allegedly implicates the government. In addition, journalists with the weeklies are being forced to vacate their offices, which belong to the State, within five days.
