(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has welcomed a Niger court’s 5 April 2005 decision recognising the illegality of Radio Alternative FM’s closure. The court ordered the station reopened on 6 April at 11:30 a.m. (local time). “While we welcome this decision, it is unfortunately insufficient. It is crucial that the charges against [Radio Alternative FM station director] […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has welcomed a Niger court’s 5 April 2005 decision recognising the illegality of Radio Alternative FM’s closure. The court ordered the station reopened on 6 April at 11:30 a.m. (local time).
“While we welcome this decision, it is unfortunately insufficient. It is crucial that the charges against [Radio Alternative FM station director] Moussa Tchangari and four other leaders of the Coalition Against Costly Living be dropped. We urge Prime Minister Hama Amadou, who has demonstrated a willingness to discuss the issue, to do everything in his power to put an end to this situation,” RSF said.
The five members of the Coalition Against Costly Living are being held in two separate Niamey prisons. The conditions under which they are being detained seriously deteriorated after their lawyer rejected the government’s temporary release offer and demanded instead the dropping of all charges. Tchangari is currently detained in a high security cell.
