(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to General Robert Gueï, RSF expressed concern over the detention of Jean Baptiste Akrou and Gaoussou Kamissoko, two journalists with the government daily “Fraternité Matin” in Abijan. RSF asked the general to reveal the location of the journalists’ detention, as well as the motives for their arrest. “If the motive […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to General Robert Gueï, RSF expressed concern over the detention of Jean Baptiste Akrou and Gaoussou Kamissoko, two journalists with the government daily “Fraternité Matin” in Abijan. RSF asked the general to reveal the location of the journalists’ detention, as well as the motives for their arrest. “If the motive is related to their professional activities,” added Robert Ménard, RSF’s secretary-general, “then our organisation asks that you free them immediately.” RSF also requested that the National Committee for Public Safety make arrangements to ensure that the journalists can work safely in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to information obtained by RSF, in the late morning on 27 December 1999, Akrou and Kamissoko were arrested in the editorial offices by military officers. No explanation was given. The president of the daily’s administrative counsel was also detained. Other journalists were threatened.
Information later obtained by RSF verified that Akrou and Kamissoko were freed a few hours after being detained. The authorities reported that the journalists were arrested by “an uncontrolled group” that was acting on its own intiative. No charges were filed against the journalists.
