Togo

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Togolese State Prosecutor Atara N’Dakéna, RSF requested the release of Hippolyte Agboh, editor of the weekly “L’Exilé”. While not wishing to comment on the substance of the case, and while reminding journalists of their duty to verify information, RSF asked the State prosecutor to “see to it that Hippolyte […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Gilchrist Olympio, president of the opposition party Union of Forces for Change (Union des forces du changement, UFC), RSF condemned an attack against state media journalists and technicians. RSF, which hopes to see those responsible for the attacks brought to justice, called on Olympio to do everything possible to […]

**Updates IFEX alert of 29 December 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, RSF has asked that the new Press Code not be proclaimed. RSF recalled that Togo has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression. Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general, added that “the bringing […]

**New case and update to IFEX alerts of 23 December 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Speaker of the National Assembly Agbeyome Kodjo, RSF expressed its concern about a new press bill adopted by the Council of Ministers. RSF asked Kodjo to do everything possible to ensure that the existing press law is not […]

**Updates IFEX alert of 23 December 1999** (RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the minister of communications and civic training, Koffi Panou, RSF requested the release of Roland Kpagli Comlan, editor of the newspaper “L’Aurore” in Lomé. While critical of the journalist’s error, RSF recalled that sentencing people to prison for violating press laws is […]

(WAJA/IFEX) – Roland Comlan, director of the weekly newspaper “l’Aurore”, was arrested at his residence on 23 December 1999 at 5:00 a.m. (local time) and detained at the national police station in Lomé. The journalist is accused of publishing a report in the 15 December edition of his newspaper concerning the alleged death of a […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – The editor-in-chief of the newspaper “le Reporter des Temps Nouveaux”, Romain Koudjodji, was released on 29 June 1999, further to the conclusion of his trial in which he received a two-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of one million CFA Francs (approx. US$1,562) and an additional symbolic fine of […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the continued detention of a Togolese journalist in Lomé. According to RSF’s information, on 19 April 1999, Romain Koudjodji, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Le Reporter des Temps Nouveaux”, was detained by police officers. The journalist is accused of “slander and and distribution of false news”, for having written a headline […]

(WAJA/IFEX) – On Monday, 19 April 1999, Romain Koudjodji, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Reporter”, was arrested at his residence by plainclothes police officers. The next day, he was referred to the civilian prison in Lomé. Koudjodji is accused of having published an article in the most recent issue of his newspaper, (issue no. […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – IFJ is disturbed by the continued detention of Elias Hounkaly and Agbeko Amewouho. They were arrested on 6 August 1998, and 10 November 1998 respectively. **Updates IFEX alerts of 17 November and 11 August 1998** According to IFJ’s information, both these journalists are being held for press offences. However, their cases have not […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arrest of a Togolese journalist. According to RSF’s information, on 10 November 1998, Edoh Amewouho, a journalist with the private weekly “Le Nouveau Combat”, was arrested and detained at the national police station. The following day, he was transferred to the Lomé prison. **New case and update to IFEX […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting the arrest of a journalist in Lomé. According to RSF’s information, on 21 October 1998, Appollinaire Mewenemesse, editor-in-chief of the bi-monthly “La Dépêche”, was arrested and taken to the police station in the capital. The arrest followed the filing of a defamation complaint by the national Minister of Defence. On […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 August 1998, two editors-in-chief of privately-owned weeklies, Augustin Asionbo of “Tingo Tingo” and Pamphile Gnimassou of “Abito”, as well as Elias Hounkali, a journalist with the privately-owned weekly “Nouveau Combat”, were arrested and placed in detention at the premises of the national police for “attacking the honour” of the presidential couple. […]

Billy Knock, editor-in-chief of the satirical weekly “Le Kpakpa Desenchante” was interrogated on 2 June 1995 by police with the Research and Investigation Service. At 6:30 a.m., five police arrived at his house and constrained him after a brief altercation, and using their weapons to threaten him they took him to the police station. It […]