(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – According to ARTICLE 19, Baboucar Gaye, proprietor of Citizen FM radio, was detained on 10 February 1998, and the enforced closure of the radio station continued on 11 February 1998. Background Information Gaye was arrested, along with Ebrima Sillah, news editor of Citizen FM radio, by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – According to ARTICLE 19, Baboucar Gaye, proprietor of
Citizen FM radio, was detained on 10 February 1998, and the enforced closure
of the radio station continued on 11 February 1998.
Background Information
Gaye was arrested, along with Ebrima Sillah, news editor of Citizen FM
radio, by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on 5 February 1998. The
arrest came soon after Citizen FM broadcast a story claiming that NIA’s
Director of Operations had been sacked in connection with an alleged
counterfeit scandal (see IFEX alert of 9 February 1998). Gaye was released
on bail on 9 February 1998, but was then ordered to report daily to the
headquarters of the NIA in Banjul. On doing so on 10 February, it appeared
that he was taken back into custody.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
the dropping of any plans to charge either him or Ebrima Sillah
report daily to NIA headquarters in Banjul be lifted
Appeals To
His Excellency Colonel (Retd.) Yahya Jammeh
President of the Second Republic of The Gambia
Office of the President
State House
Banjul
The Gambia
Fax: +220 227 034
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
