(RSF/IFEX) – According to RSF, on 5 May 1998, Omar Ahmed Vincent and Aboubaker Ahmed Aouled, respectively director of publication and editor-in-chief of the weekly “Le Populaire” (an organ of opposition party Group for Democracy and the Republic), were arrested at Omar Ahmed Vincent’s home, which also serves as the newspaper’s office. Computer equipment was […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to RSF, on 5 May 1998, Omar Ahmed Vincent and
Aboubaker Ahmed Aouled, respectively director of publication and
editor-in-chief of the weekly “Le Populaire” (an organ of opposition party
Group for Democracy and the Republic), were arrested at Omar Ahmed Vincent’s
home, which also serves as the newspaper’s office. Computer equipment was
seized. The two journalists spent the night at the premises of the Criminal
Affairs Squad, before being transferred on 6 May to the central prison of
Gabode. The arrests followed the publication, in the 26 April issue of “Le
Populaire”, of an article accusing the finance minister of embezzlement of
funds, which would have been committed in his management of the national
pension fund.
**This alert contains a new case and updates IFEX alert of 24 February
1998**
Previously, on 17 February 1998, two journalists from the private bi-monthly
“Al Wahda” (opposition), were arrested after the publication, in the 5
February issue, of an article which taunted the finance minister. These
journalists were freed on 26 February, but material belonging to the
newspaper, which had been confiscated, has still not been returned (see IFEX
alert of 24 February 1998).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Djibouti
ratified the African Charter for Human Rights, article 9 of which guarantees
freedom of expression and information
Ahmed Aouled are made known
their detention is directly related to the exercise of their profession
and
equitable trial
Appeals To
Mr. Hassan Gouled Aptidon
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace
Djibouti
Fax: +253 35 27 17
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
