NIGER: Editor released after completing eight-month prison sentence
The Committee to Protect Journalists has welcomed the release from prison of Abdoulaye Tiémogo, an editor at the weekly Le Canard Déchaîné, which is based in Niger's capital, Niamey. Tiémogo, who was freed on Tuesday, February 18, after completing his eight-month prison sentence, was arrested on June 18, 2002, for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Hama Amadou in a series of unflattering opinion pieces.
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From: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), [email protected]
Committee to Protect Journalists
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NIGER: Editor released after completing eight-month prison sentence
New York, February 26, 2003-The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the
release from prison of Abdoulaye Tiémogo, an editor at the weekly Le Canard
Déchaîné, which is based in Niger's capital, Niamey.
Tiémogo, who was freed on Tuesday, February 18, after completing his eight-month
prison sentence, was arrested on June 18, 2002, for allegedly defaming Prime
Minister Hama Amadou in a series of unflattering opinion pieces.
Tiémogo accused the prime minister of attempting to bribe Mahamane Ousmane, the
head of Niger's Parliament, in a bid to retain his position. According to
Tiémogo's stories, Amadou offered 6 million CFA francs (US$9,000), which Ousmane
reportedly refused.
Tiémogo appeared in court on June 19 and was ordered held without bail, said
sources in Niamey. On June 28, the journalist was convicted of libel and
sentenced to eight months in prison. He was also ordered to pay a 50,000 CFA
franc (US$75) fine. In addition, Tiémogo was ordered to pay Amadou 1 million CFA
francs (US$1,500) in damages.
According to CPJ sources, after his conviction, Tiémogo sent a letter of apology
to the judge conceding that the articles' allegations were unfounded. Although
Tiémogo appealed the conviction, on November 11, the Niamey Appeals Court upheld
his sentence.
"While we welcome our colleague's release, journalists should never be jailed
for their work," said CPJ acting director Joel Simon. "CPJ believes that civil
courts provide adequate redress in libel and defamation cases, and we urge
Niger's government to work toward eliminating criminal defamation statues from
the books."
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to
safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information about press conditions
in Niger, visit www.cpj.org.
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