(CPJ/IFEX) – On 11 August 1998, Michel Ongoundou-Loundah, publication director for “La Griffe” newspaper, disappeared from his home. The following day he appeared in the Libreville court along with two reporters from “La Griffe”, Raphael Ntoutoume Nkoghe and Pulcherie Baumel. The three journalists were tried and convicted for criminal libel in connection with an article […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 11 August 1998, Michel Ongoundou-Loundah, publication
director
for “La Griffe” newspaper, disappeared from his home. The following day he
appeared in the Libreville court along with two reporters from “La Griffe”,
Raphael Ntoutoume Nkoghe and Pulcherie Baumel. The three journalists were
tried and convicted for criminal libel in connection with an article printed
in June 1998 reporting that employees of Air Gabon were involved in
illegally trafficking ivory, and were sentenced to eight-month prison terms.
**This alert contains information further to IFEX alert of 17 August 1998**
On 13 August 1998, state security agents invaded the “La Griffe” editorial
offices, held the employees hostage for three hours and left after seizing
all their identity cards. The security agents returned later the same
evening to the newspaper’s printer, where they seized 12,000 copies of “La
Griffe” and computer diskettes, preventing the newspaper from being sold the
following day.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
release of Ogoundou-Loundah, Nkoghe and Baumel
which
article 9 which guarantees freedom of expression and information
pursue their profession without fearing attack, harassment or censorship
Appeals To
Omar Bongo
President of the Republic of Gabonc/o the diplomatic representative of the Republic of Gabon in your country
(in Canada)
Embassy of the Republic of Gabon
4 Range Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1N 8J5
Fax: 613 232 6916
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
NB: Cette alerte ne sera pas disponible en francais.
