IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - GUINEA-BISSAU

16 November 2001

Two journalists arrested by state prosecutor's order

SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to State Prosecutor Caetano N'Tchama, RSF protested
the arrests of João de Barros, the daily "Diário de Bissau"'s publication
director, and his colleague Athizar Mendes. RSF urged the prosecutor to take
the necessary measures to ensure that the journalists are released
immediately. "The press freedom situation in Guinea-Bissau continues to
deteriorate," stated Robert Ménard, the organisation's secretary-general.
"The state prosecutor is systematically attacking the country's independent
press, whose very existence is seriously threatened today," added Ménard.

According to information collected by RSF, de Barros and Mendes were
arrested on 14 November 2001 by order of the state prosecutor. The two
journalists were taken to the central police station in Bissau. No
explanation was provided to explain the motive for the arrests. On 27
October, N'Tchama ordered the indefinite closure of the private daily
"Diário de Bissau" and the private weekly "Gazeta de Noticias" because of
"irregular activities." The prosecutor also accused the publications of
disturbing the country's "peace and stability" and "violating official
secrets." That same day, the state prosecutor openly threatened to close the
private radio stations Bombolom-FM and Radio Pidjiquiti unless they
straightened out "their administrative and legal situation within fifteen
days" (see IFEX alert of 5 November 2001).

RSF also recalled that on 17 June, de Barros and Mendes were briefly
detained by Guinea-Bissau's secret police. They were accused of publishing
an article titled "Kumba Yala and corruption", in which the president was
accused of being "principally responsible for corruption in the country".

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.fr

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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