July 28, 2009
The Gambian authorities have reinitiated the “false
information” trial of Pap Saine, managing editor of the Banjul-based The
Point newspaper
Saine will on July 29, 2009 appear before the Banjul
High Court presided over by controversial Nigerian judge, Justice Joseph Wowo,
who has been replaced in the trial of seven journalists accused of
criticising President Yahya Jammeh
Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources
reported that Saine was originally informed to appear on July 27, the day he
was expected to appear before another court with six other journalists.
The seven are standing trial for allegedly defaming President Jammeh. The charges
stemmed from Gambian Press Union statement criticizing the Gambian leader over
comments he recently made slandering Deyda Hydara, a Gambian journalist who was
brutally murdered by unknown assailants five years ago.
Saine and Modou Sanyang, another staff of the
newspaper, were arrested on February 2 following a January 30 article. The
article written by Saine reported that a Gambian Diplomat had been detained. In
the same article, the newspaper also said a lady Neneh Macdouall Gaye, has been
appointed Gambia's Ambassador to the United States of America while three other
diplomats have been recalled. Saine refused to reveal his source of information
and was therefore charged.
On April 9 Saine’s counsel raised an objection to
errors on the charge sheet, and the Kanifing Magistrate court subsequently
freed him.
Saine was also freed on another charge of forged
nationality.
MFWA condemns this latest move which clearly
demonstrates the Gambian authorities’ resolve to suppress freedom of expression
in the country. On July 22, President Jammeh told the state-owned Gambian
Radio and Television (GRTS) during the 15th anniversary celebration of his
coup that: "Any journalist who thinks that he or she can write whatever he
or she wants, and go free, is making a big mistake", Jammeh declared.
"If anybody is caught, he will be severely dealt with."
Prof. Kwame Karikari
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra, Ghana
Tel 233-21 242470
Fax 233 -21 221084
Email:
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Website: www.mediafound.org
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