niger: Journalist jailed after criticising government
Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has expressed concern over the imprisonment of Ibrahim Souley, editor of the weekly "L'Enquêteur", for exposing embezzlement in the handing out of government contracts. The organisation has called for Souley's immediate release. "We do not understand why the authorities have jailed him, since he was simply doing his job of informing the public, which in no way justifies his imprisonment," said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard.
ALERT - NIGER
18 September 2003
Journalist jailed after criticising government
SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris
(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has expressed concern over the imprisonment of Ibrahim
Souley, editor of the weekly "L'Enquêteur", for exposing embezzlement in the
handing out of government contracts. The organisation has called for
Souley's immediate release.
"We do not understand why the authorities have jailed him, since he was
simply doing his job of informing the public, which in no way justifies his
imprisonment," said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard.
Souley and the paper's founder, Soumana Maïga, were arrested on 13 September
2003. Maïga was released a few hours later, but Souley was held by police
for two days without visiting rights before being sent to Niamey prison on
16 September. His trial is set to begin on 7 October.
The State Prosecutor's Office has complained of an article in issue 169 of
"L'Enquêteur", in which the government was accused of contributing to the
sudden wealth of local businessman Djibo Zakou. The weekly reported that
business people from eastern Niger were angry that Zakou, who comes from the
western part of the country, had received "juicy contracts."
For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51,
e-mail: [email protected], Internet: http://www.rsf.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of RSF.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
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