(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has issued an urgent appeal for the release of Tchanguiz Vatankhah, the director of Radio Brakoss and president of the Chad Union of Privately-Owned Radio Stations (URPT), whose state of health has deteriorated markedly, according to a human rights activist who has seen him in detention. Held at police headquarters […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has issued an urgent appeal for the release of Tchanguiz Vatankhah, the director of Radio Brakoss and president of the Chad Union of Privately-Owned Radio Stations (URPT), whose state of health has deteriorated markedly, according to a human rights activist who has seen him in detention.
Held at police headquarters in N’Djamena since his arrest on 28 April 2006, Vatankhah has been on hunger strike since the start of May to demand the right to see his lawyer. He is also refusing to take any medicine for his diabetes.
According to Deuzombé Daniel Passalet of the Chad-based organisation Human Rights Without Borders (DHSF), who was able to see him briefly on the afternoon of 16 May, Vatankhah fell in the shower because he is so weak, and injured his back. He was examined by a doctor who recommended treatment and an X-ray. “We are very worried,” Passelet said. “He is in a very poor shape and cannot walk.”
Since his arrest, Vatankhah has signed a statement undertaking not to meddle again in Chadian politics and to resign as head of the URPT. He also says in the statement that he has not been mistreated.
