(CPJ/IFEX) – On 11 May 1999, Ahmed Kanneh, Thomas Gbow, and Mohammad Massaquoi, publisher, editor, and news editor, respectively, for “The New Storm” weekly newspaper, were released on a combined bail of five million leones (approx. US$2,400). The three journalists have been charged with publishing an alarmist publication under the 1998 Emergency Press Law. Their […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 11 May 1999, Ahmed Kanneh, Thomas Gbow, and Mohammad
Massaquoi, publisher, editor, and news editor, respectively, for “The New
Storm” weekly
newspaper, were released on a combined bail of five million leones (approx.
US$2,400). The three journalists have been charged with publishing an
alarmist publication under the 1998 Emergency Press Law. Their hearing has
been adjourned for 18 May.
**Updates IFEX Alert of 7 May 1999**
Background Information
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on 5 May 1999, plainclothes detectives from the
Criminal Investigation Division (CID) detained journalists Kanneh, Gbow, and
Massaquoi – publisher, editor, and news editor, respectively, for “The New
Storm” weekly newspaper – at the newspaper’s offices in Freetown. The
journalists were transported to the central police station in Freetown.
The arrests stem from an article published in last week’s edition of “The
New Storm”. The article reported that the West African Peacekeeping Force
(ECOMOG) Commander, Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, spoke with Col. Sam Bockrie
of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel forces by telephone, and that,
during the conversation, Majakperou said that he would not listen to
Bockrie.
A 5 May press release issued by Maj.-Gen. Majakperou’s office stated that
the reported conversation did not take place and that “The New Storm”
article implied that the ECOMOG commander did not want peace in Sierra
Leone.
