(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 March 2001 letter to President Charles G. Taylor, CPJ stated that it is deeply concerned about the forthcoming trial of four Liberian journalists on trumped-up charges of espionage. In advance of the opening trial hearing, scheduled for Monday 26 March in Monrovia, CPJ called for their immediate and unconditional release. […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 March 2001 letter to President Charles G. Taylor, CPJ stated that it is deeply concerned about the forthcoming trial of four Liberian journalists on trumped-up charges of espionage. In advance of the opening trial hearing, scheduled for Monday 26 March in Monrovia, CPJ called for their immediate and unconditional release.
On 21 February, police raided the offices of the independent Monrovia daily “The News” and arrested reporter Bobby Tapson, managing editor Joseph Bartuah, editor in chief Abdullah Dukuly, and news editor Jerome Dalieh. The arrests were prompted by a 21 February article by Tapson that criticized Liberian government spending.
The article reported that the government had recently spent US$50,000 on helicopter repairs and another US$23,000 on Christmas cards and souvenirs. Tapson questioned the rationale for such expenditure at a time when Liberia’s civil servants have not been paid for months.
In court documents quoted in local media, state prosecutors claimed the article was intended to “reveal national defense information to a foreign power for the purpose of injuring Liberia…in the event of a military and diplomatic confrontation.”
After their arrest, the four journalists were denied bail on the grounds that espionage is a non-bailable offense under Liberian law. Due to various postponements and other legal hitches, they have been in jail continuously since their 21 February arrest.
On 2 March, the state moved to transfer the case from the City Court to Criminal Court A, a higher court. The move voided all previous City Court proceedings in the case, meaning that defense lawyers must file yet another motion for bail. The case is scheduled to go to trial on 26 March.
This is not the first time Liberian authorities have wielded espionage charges against journalists who dare to criticize their shortcomings. In August 2000, a four-member news team from Britain’s Channel Four television network were arrested by Monrovia police and charged with espionage when they tried to film a documentary about the country. Although the Channel Four team had obtained permission from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to conduct interviews, take photographs and make video recordings, their equipment and videotapes were seized from their hotel rooms and the journalists were held for one week before being freed. They too were initially denied bail and spent more than a week in jail under appalling conditions (see IFEX alerts of 28, 25, 24, 22 and 21 August 2000).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– expressing grave disturbance over the unjust treatment of the four “The News” journalists
– stating that you view their continued unlawful detention as part of a sustained campaign aimed at silencing all critical voices in Liberia
– urging him to use the powers of his office to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Tapson, Bartuah, Dukuly and Dalieh
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Charles G. Taylor
President of the Republic of Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia
Fax: +231 225 217
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
