Reporters
Without Borders (RSF) condemns the arbitrary detention of Koaci news
website editor Laurent Despas and one of his reporters, Donatien
Kautcha, who were freed on 25 May after being held overnight, and urges
the authorities to use the press law rather than the penal code in the
case they are bringing against Despas.
Arrested
on the afternoon of 24 May, Despas and Kautcha were held at the
headquarters of the gendarmerie in Agban, in the centre of Abidjan,
without being allowed access to a lawyer.
Both were released yesterday
but, before being freed, Despas was taken before the prosecutor’s
office, where he was charged with “spreading false reports” under
article 173 of the penal code.
According to the information available,
their arrests and the charge against Despas were prompted by an article
in early May about the existence of political prisoners in Côte d’Ivoire.
It was based on an interview with former President Laurent Gbagbo’s
son, Michel Gbagbo, who was himself summoned for questioning yesterday
at the headquarters of the DST intelligence agency.
“We are disturbed by these
proceedings against a media representative who simply reported an
interview and, furthermore, presented the views of both sides,” RSF said. “We urge the authorities to respect the work of journalists by trying this case under the press law and not the penal code.”
Under article 173
of the penal code, “publishing, disseminating, divulging or reproducing
false reports or documents that are fabricated, forged or mendaciously
attributed to other persons” is punishable by up to three years in
prison and a fine. The press law does not provide for prison sentences
for this type of offence.
0 POST YOUR COMMENT:
Post a Comment