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Alert

Government maintains ban on newspaper, instructs printing houses not to print

(CEMESP/IFEX) - It was a success story for "The Independent" newspaper last week when the Supreme Court of Liberia ordered both parties to the case to return to "status quo ante."

Seyrius Cephus, the lawyer for "The Independent", said the paper was to appear on the newsstand on 29 March since the court has mandated that "The Independent" return to its previous position as a free agent to do its business.

However, the paper did not appear on the newsstands as expected because the government of Liberia has maintained its ban on the newspaper and has instructed printing houses not to print it.

The government, through the Justice Ministry, has described as "misinterpretation" reports that the ban on the paper had been lifted.

Instead, according to Solicitor General Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, all parties should remain as they are until the Supreme Court looks into the matter.

The Supreme Court will hear the case in full on 4 April 2007.