(CPJ/IFEX) – On 30 April 1999, “Expo Times” news editor Conrad Roy, imprisoned in Sierra Leone since February 1998, died at the Lakka Tuberculosis Hospital (located approximately 10 miles west of Freetown) from tuberculosis which he contracted while in prison. Roy was transferred to the hospital from the Pademba Road prison during the week of […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 30 April 1999, “Expo Times” news editor Conrad Roy,
imprisoned
in Sierra Leone since February 1998, died at the Lakka Tuberculosis Hospital
(located approximately 10 miles west of Freetown) from tuberculosis which he
contracted while in prison. Roy was transferred to the hospital from the
Pademba Road prison during the week of 26 April.
**Updates IFEX alert of 27 February 1999**
In February 1998, the West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG) detained Roy
upon its entry into Freetown. Roy was held at the Pademba Road prison and
was not charged until December 1998. On 11 December, 1998, the journalist
appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to face charges ranging from treason and
aiding and abetting the enemy to conspiring to overthrow a legally
constituted government.
During the month of December, Attorney General Solomon Berewa denied
requests by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to visit Roy
in prison, stating that only the prisoner’s parents – who reportedly live
outside the country – have visitation privileges.
Abubakar Shaw, the financial manager of “Expo Times” who directed the paper
and
was detained by ECOMOG in February 1998, was released from government
custody in December.
During his detention, Conrad Roy was denied the opportunity to appear before
the
Investigation Committee set up to decide who should be charged with treason
for
activities occurring during the period of Armed Forces Ruling Council
(AFRC)/ Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rule.
On 6 January 1999, RUF rebel forces released the prisoners – including Roy –
from
the Pademba Road prison upon entering Freetown. On 10 January, Roy reported
to the Pademba Road prison, in compliance with the government’s order for
prisoners to return.
