(FPJQ/IFEX) – The Montreal Urban Community Police Force has announced it will drop charges against journalist Yves Shaëffner and news photographer Valérie Remise. Although they clearly identified themselves as journalists, Shaëffner and Remise were arrested, detained and charged with “illegal gathering”, “damages” and “disturbing the public order” while covering a 1 May 2000 demonstration in […]
(FPJQ/IFEX) – The Montreal Urban Community Police Force has announced it will drop charges against journalist Yves Shaëffner and news photographer Valérie Remise. Although they clearly identified themselves as journalists, Shaëffner and Remise were arrested, detained and charged with “illegal gathering”, “damages” and “disturbing the public order” while covering a 1 May 2000 demonstration in Montreal for the weekly newspaper “ICI”.
The FPJQ immediately protested these actions, demanding that the charges be dropped and that an investigation into these arrests be carried out. The organisation also asked that the police be given clear instructions so that this kind of incident would not be repeated in the future.
The FPJQ is satisfied that the Montreal Urban Community Police Force has responded to its demands with regards to these two journalists and will soon meet with representatives of the police to discuss this incident and to ensure that Quebec journalists have all the freedom they need to do their work.
The FPJQ also plans to raise another issue of great concern: the recent seizure of journalistic material by the police.
A third freelance journalist, Andrew Dobrowolskyj, is still facing charges. The FPJQ will continue to monitor his case.
