June 19, 2009
Halifa Sallah, publisher of
privately-owned Banjul-based Foroyaa newspaper was on June 18, 2009
arrested and detained by the notoriously feared National Intelligence Agency
(NIA) of the Gambia.
Media Foundation for West Africa
(MFWA) sources reported that Sallah’s arrest and subsequent detention followed
a telephone call he received at about 15 hours GMT from the NIA inviting him to
their office to procure bail for his colleagues who were being detained.
Sallah’s arrest brings to nine the
number of journalists arrested within three days since June 15 when the NIA
begun the swoop on journalists and Gambian Press Union (GPU) executives over a
statement that criticised President Yahya Jammeh over comments he made recently
that slandered Deyda Hydara, journalist and an ardent critic of his regime, who
was gunned down in 2004 by a yet to be identified assailants.
Although the NIA has not given
any reasons for Sallah’s detention, the sources believe it is in connection
with an open letter he wrote to President Jammeh demanding the release of his
colleagues. He is very outspoken and granted interviews to various
international media.
All the eight journalists are facing
three criminally charges including “publishing with seditious intention” and
“conspiracy to publish with seditious intention”.
They are currently being
detained at the Mile Two Prison on the outskirt of Banjul, the capital
following the Kanifing magistrate court’s refusal to grant them bail. 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.
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233 21 24 24 70
Fax : 233 21 221084
Website : www.mediafound.org
Email:
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