Journalist held at unknown location

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 17 January 1998, Michael Danielson, a sports writer for the “Independent Observer”, was arrested by soldiers in Freetown. He is still being held at an unknown location. Danielson had been in Freetown researching a story about a soldier. In the course of his research the soldier came to his home and […]

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 17 January 1998, Michael Danielson, a sports writer
for the “Independent Observer”, was arrested by soldiers in Freetown. He is
still being held at an unknown location. Danielson had been in Freetown
researching a story about a soldier. In the course of his research the
soldier came to his home and assaulted him. Danielson went to military
headquarters to complain and was assured that the assault would be
investigated. However, on the evening of 17 January, the soldiers in charge
of the investigation came to Danielson’s home and arrested him. It is
believed that he may be held at military headquarters, Cockrill, Freetown,
where prisoners are reported to be kept in containers. There is no definite
news of his whereabouts since his arrest. ARTICLE 19 seriously fears for the
safety of Michael Danielson. Other journalists recently arrested in Sierra
Leone have been tortured and, in at least one instance, hospitalized (see
IFEX alert of 13 January).

Recommended Action

Major Johnny Paul Koroma

State House

Sierra Leone

(Fax is currently out of order)

Mohammed Kandeh Bangura

Minister for Tourism, Information and Culture

Fax: +232 22 22 44 39

Tel: +232 22 24 09 11
Paolo Bangura

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Fax: +232 22 22 56 15
(in Brussels)

Peter Kiyembeh

Ambassador

Brussels, Belgium

Fax: + 32 27 71 82 30
the Sierra Leone diplomatic representative in your country