Angola: Editor faces prison term
On 30 March 2004, the Luanda Provincial Tribunal sentenced Felisberto de Graça Campos, director and editor of the weekly magazine "Semanario Angolense", to 45 days in prison or a fine of US$1,200 for a series of articles published in 2003 that detailed the fortunes of prominent government officials. Campos's sentence follows defamation charges filed against him by the defence minister, General Kundy Payama, who was included in a list of 59 people believed to be millionaires. The list included politicians, economists, senior military officials, ministers and members of parliament.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - ANGOLA
1 April 2004
Editor faces prison term
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 30 March 2004, the Luanda Provincial Tribunal sentenced
Felisberto de Graça Campos, director and editor of the weekly magazine
"Semanario Angolense", to 45 days in prison or a fine of US$1,200 for a
series of articles published in 2003 that detailed the fortunes of prominent
government officials.
Campos's sentence follows defamation charges filed against him by the
defence minister, General Kundy Payama, who was included in a list of 59
people believed to be millionaires. The list included politicians,
economists, senior military officials, ministers and members of parliament.
Campos was charged under Article 43 of the Press Law, which refers to "abuse
of the press", and Article 407 of the Penal Code. He faced a sentence of
three to six months in prison under the Press Law, plus an additional four
months under the Penal Code.
Campos faces additional defamation charges brought forward by other
individuals named in the list, including Mário António, coordinator of the
Movimento Popular da Libertação de Angola (MPLA) political party's business
interests, MPLA Secretary-General Paulo Julião Dino Metros, Minister for
Administration of the National Territory Fautimo Muteca and Chairperson of
the African Bank of Investment Mário Palhares.
BACKGROUND:
The article naming the 59 richest Angolans was published in the 217th
edition of "Semanario Angolense".
For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975,
fax: +264 61 248 016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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