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Alert

Journalist attacked

(RSF/IFEX) - According to information released by RSF on 14 May 1998, during
the night of 5 or 6 May, Cheick Oumar Konare, a journalist and director of
publishing with the private daily "Sud-Info", was attacked by unknown
assailants. While walking in Bamako (the capital city), the journalist was
kidnapped by ten men who forced him into their vehicle. Oumar Konare was
then interrogated at length about the reasons for his continuous opposition
to the regime. According to Oumar Konare, the men claimed to be from the
"Adema liberation army." After the interrogation, the journalist was
asphyxiated with gas and thrown unconscious, hands and feet bound, into a
ravine. His injuries were not serious. On 27 April 1998, "Sud-Info"
published an article on the recent resignations of seven high-ranking
officers with Mali's secret service, known as "State Security."




Without commenting on the merits of the case, RSF expresses its concern
regarding this act of aggression.

Recommended Action

Send appeals to authorities:

asking them to use their authority to ensure that an investigation is held
in this case, and that those responsible for the assault and kidnapping of
Cheick Oumar Konare are punished

Appeals To

Alpha Omar Konare
President of the Republic of Mali
Bamako, Mali

care of the Malian diplomatic representative in you country

(in Canada)
Embassy of the Republic of Mali
50 Goulburn Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 8C8
Fax: +1 613 232 7429

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

Source:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
@rsf_rwb

 

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