Eight Gambian Press Union (GPU) executives and newspaper journalists currently held by the notoriously-feared National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were on June 18, 2009 charged with three counts including “conspiracy to publish with seditious intention”.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that the journalists were arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate court presided over by Justice Sainabou Wadda.

The sources said the journalists were made to make a plea after which they were denied bail and sent to Mile Two Prison.

The sources, however, said Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, first vice president of the GPU, the only female who is a nursing mother was granted bail in the sum of 200,000 Dalasis (about US $7, 000). All of them will reappear on June 22.

The seven other journalists were arrested at different times on June 15, over a press statement criticising President Yahya Jammeh over recent comments he made slandering Deyda Hydara, journalist and an ardent critic of his regime, who was gunned down by  an as-yet unknown assailants.

The GPU executives were Emil Touray, general secretary, Pa Modou Faal, treasurer. The newspaper journalists were Pap Saine and Ebrima Sawaneh, managing editor and deputy managing editor respectively of The Point newspaper. Another journalist Abba Gibba, deputy editor of The Point, was picked up in the newspaper’s office earlier in the day. Sam Sarr and Abubacarr Saidykhan, were managing editor and reporter respectively, of the Foroyaa newspaper.

They were sent to court without legal representation.

Prof. Kwame Karikari

Executive Director

MFWA

Accra

Tel: 233 21 24 24 70

Fax : 233 21 221084

Website : www.mediafound.org