(RSF/IFEX) – The body of Kloueu Gonzreu, a correspondent for the state-owned Agence ivoirienne de presse (AIP), was found on 19 March 2003 in the western region of Toulépleu, according to the International Red Cross. He had been missing since 11 January and several sources said he had been arrested by Liberians fighting alongside pro-government […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The body of Kloueu Gonzreu, a correspondent for the state-owned Agence ivoirienne de presse (AIP), was found on 19 March 2003 in the western region of Toulépleu, according to the International Red Cross. He had been missing since 11 January and several sources said he had been arrested by Liberians fighting alongside pro-government forces.
RSF has repeated its call to Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to thoroughly and urgently investigate the case. A similar appeal by the organisation in February was met with silence.
On 30 January, the pro-government newspaper “Notre Pays” had accused Gonzreu of favouring the rebels in the country’s civil conflict and said the people of Toulépleu “continued to be suspicious of him.” RSF has frequently criticised pro-government Ivorian papers for fanning the flames of intolerance and endangering the lives of persons they name.
Gonzreu, aged 51, had worked for AIP since July 2000. He also taught history and geography and worked for the local branch of the Red Cross. The body of his 19-year-old son, Thierry Gonzreu, and those of two other Red Cross volunteers were also found.
