25 November 2010

Alert

Two journalists released conditionally after nine months in prison


Incident details

Release

Robert Mintya, Editor
Serge Sabouang, Editor

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(JED/IFEX) - Kinshasa, 25 November 2010 - Journaliste en danger (JED) welcomes the 24 November release of Robert Mintya and Serge Sabouang, respective editors of "Le Devoir" and "La Nation" newspapers. President Paul Biya ordered the release.

Mintya and Sabouang were imprisoned on 10 March at Yaoundé's central prison along with their colleague Bibi Ngota of "Cameroon Express", who subsequently died in prison on 22 April. The three journalists were accused of forging the signature of the president's chief of staff, Laurent Esso.

Sabouang told JED that they were not brought to trial during their detention. "Despite our release, the case is still pending before the court," he added.

"After my release I went to church to thank God. I also want to thank President Biya since we learned that it was he who had ordered our release," Mintya told Agence France-Presse.


Source:

Journaliste en danger (JED)
B.P. 633 - Kinshasa 1
374, av. Col. Mondjiba
Complexe Utexafrica, Galerie St Pierre, 1er niveau, Local 18 Kinshasa/Ngaliema
République Démocratique du Congo
direction (@) jed-afcentre.org
Phone: +243 81 99 29 323
Fax: +44 20 7900 3413
 

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From other IFEX members

Newspaper editors released conditionally after eight months in Kondengui prison (RSF)

More on this case

CJFE welcomes release of journalists Serge Sabouang and Robert Mintya 25 November 2010 Authorities maintain their position on newspaper editor's death in prison 29 September 2010 Newspaper editor hospitalised after being attacked in his cell 2 September 2010 CPJ seeks untainted investigation of journalist's death 10 May 2010 Journalist dies in detention 22 April 2010 CPJ alarmed by harassment of journalists 17 March 2010

Cameroon

Officials stifling freedom of association, says Freedom House 2 April 2012 Coup charges against writer dropped, still faces military tribunal 7 February 2012 Writer detained, faces up to 50 years in prison 24 January 2012 Journalist detained, asked to reveal sources 12 September 2011 Human Rights Watch urges government to eliminate law used to entrap for sexual orientation 18 May 2011 See all alerts: Cameroon


 
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