(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 17 August 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalists Krishna Adhikari and Basanta Maharjan of the daily “Spacetime”, in the remote northwestern district of Bajhang. The two journalists were taken hostage on 15 August in the district’s Deulek area. They were accused of travelling in CPN-Maoist stronghold areas without permission […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 17 August 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalists Krishna Adhikari and Basanta Maharjan of the daily “Spacetime”, in the remote northwestern district of Bajhang.
The two journalists were taken hostage on 15 August in the district’s Deulek area. They were accused of travelling in CPN-Maoist stronghold areas without permission in order to spy on the rebels’ activities. According to a press statement issued by Adhikari, they “were subjected to mental torture and released on the condition [that they not return] to the area.”
Two local CPN-Maoist leaders, who go by the names of “Sharada” and “Paribartan”, threatened to kill the journalists if they fail to follow the order to leave the area.
CEHURDES condemns the journalists’ abduction and urges CPN-Maoist leaders to end all attacks on journalists and free expression activists. The organisation further urges respect for press freedom, freedom of expression and civil liberties. It also asks international human rights and press freedom organisations to put pressure on the CPN-Maoist rebels to halt their actions against journalists and free expression activists.
