(MFWA/IFEX) – On 10 May 2005, the parliamentary representative for the Tonkolili Central Constituency, Fatamata Hassan Komeh, instructed thugs to beat up Harry Yansaneh, acting editor of the daily “For Di People”, for allegedly writing negative comments about the government. According to MFWA-Sierra Leone sources, “For Di People” staff members were engaged in the production […]
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 10 May 2005, the parliamentary representative for the Tonkolili Central Constituency, Fatamata Hassan Komeh, instructed thugs to beat up Harry Yansaneh, acting editor of the daily “For Di People”, for allegedly writing negative comments about the government.
According to MFWA-Sierra Leone sources, “For Di People” staff members were engaged in the production process when two sons of the parliamentarian and three others entered the paper’s offices and beat up Yansaneh. They also chased other staff members out of the offices and damaged computers and other equipment.
On the same day, six independent newspapers were forced off newsstands for three days following an order from Komeh that no generators be used in her building, which houses their offices. “The Independent Observer”, “For Di People”, “The Pool”, “The African Champion”, “The Pioneer” and “The Progress” could not be printed because of a lack of electricity.
Komeh has also asked all six papers, which have been operating from her building for the past 10 to 15 years, to leave the premises within six months, and also warned that tenants should not enter the building before 7:45 a.m. (local time) or remain in the building after 7:45 p.m.