Two journalists of Le Patroite, a pro-Ouattara daily newspaper, who were detained by Ivorian National Surveillance Directorate (DST), were on the evening of February 1, 2012 released without charge.
Charles Sanga, managing editor was arrested on January 31, 2012 after he refused to disclose the source of the day’s publication. In the case of Jean-Claude Coulibaly and the author of the said publication, he was detained in the afternoon of February 1, after he had responded to an invitation by DST.
In that publication, the newspaper broke a news story ahead of an official announcement by the country’s Constitutional Council of the invalidation of eleven seats in last year’s parliamentary election in the country.
The two were released at about 18: 35 GMT.
Although the intelligence agency accused the two of “publishing confidential information”, the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that there is no clear indication as to whether the charges would be pressed against them or not.
MFWA adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of the authorities for forcing the journalists to reveal their source of information. We believe the arrest and subsequent detention of the two were not justified and constitutes an attack on press freedom in Cote d’Ivoire.
For more information please contact:
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mediafound.org