(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is deeply concerned for the safety of imprisoned journalist Paul Kamara following reports of his forced transfer to a prison block normally used for violent or high security prisoners. According to reports received by PEN, a number of guards at the Pademba Road prison attempted to drag the […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is deeply concerned for the safety of imprisoned journalist Paul Kamara following reports of his forced transfer to a prison block normally used for violent or high security prisoners.
According to reports received by PEN, a number of guards at the Pademba Road prison attempted to drag the editor of “For Di People” newspaper from his cell on 22 February 2005. Kamara apparently refused to be moved. However, on 25 February, it was reported that the prison authorities had succeeded in moving Kamara to the new cell. This followed a search of Kamara’s cell a few days earlier and the removal of many of his possessions. The authorities have also suspended prison visits to the journalist, who is now believed to be held in solitary confinement. Rebel leader Foday Sankoh’s health deteriorated in suspicious circumstances whilst being held in the same prison block in 2003 and he died shortly after being transferred to hospital.
The authorities have given no reason for Kamara’s transfer. He was not convicted of a violent crime and has not behaved violently in prison. There is no reason why he should be considered as a high security prisoner. The move has therefore caused great concern for his safety.
There is speculation that the move may be linked to recent articles that have appeared in the press in Freetown, alleging police torture of suspected criminals and poor conditions in prison. The police and other authorities have apparently attributed the articles to Kamara.
Kamara’s appeal of his two-year sentence was launched on 22 October 2004 at the Freetown Appeal Court on the grounds that “the judgment is against the weight of evidence” brought against him and that he should have been tried before a jury rather than merely a judge, particularly given the prejudicial remarks made openly against him by presiding judge Bankole Rashid.
However, staff at the Appeal Court maintain that, four months later, they have still not received Kamara’s file, even though the High Court claims to have released it. As a result of this impasse, Kamara’s lawyer has filed an application for bail pending the hearing of the appeal. The hearing for the bail application should have opened on 21 February but was postponed for two days.
