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Alert

Journalist arrested, detained

(MFWA/IFEX) - Clement Kegeri, Ashanti regional editor of Metropolitan Television (Metro TV), an Accra-based independent TV station was on 5 August 2009 reportedly arrested and detained at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Circuit Court cell in Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city.

Kegeri said he was maltreated and held for about an hour on the orders of a senior police officer, identified as S. Quansah of the Kumasi Central Police Station. He was released following the intervention of his colleagues.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)'s correspondent reported that a number of people including reporters had filled the court room, where a 28-year-old man was being tried for allegedly raping a teenage girl.

Kegeri told the correspondent that his ordeal started when officer Quansah saw him outside the court premises among the huge crowd gathered to witness the proceedings and ordered him to leave. "It was when I protested that he ordered my arrest. He also prevented me from filming the suspect the day before", he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has apologised to the journalist. Speaking in an interview with MFWA, the deputy regional commander, ACP Kwasi Duku, who confirmed the incident, said it was "unfortunate" and should be treated as an "isolated" case. He, however, said the matter is being investigated and appropriate action would be taken after the investigations.