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Alert

Supporters of unsuccessful candidates threaten al-Jazeera staff

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has condemned supporters of some candidates eliminated in the first round of presidential elections, who forced their way into the offices of al-Jazeera TV in Nouakchott and threatened staff.

On 20 March 2007, journalists working in al-Jazeera's Nouakchott offices received death threats by phone. Then, at about 4:00 p.m. (local time), eight people marched into the premises. Journalist Mohammed Nema Oumar, head of communications for Rashid Mustapha, a failed first round candidate, was among this group. Police arrested four people and opened an investigation to find the other assailants.

Al-Jazeera bureau chief, Mohammed Baba, told Reporters Without Borders that he was pleased at the police determination to resolve the case. He said the raiders had complained that al-Jazeera had not given enough coverage to the campaigns of less known candidates. Around 50 Mauritanian journalists demonstrated their support for the TV channel, by signing a petition condemning the behaviour of Mohammed Nema Oumar, pointing out that he was not representative of the country's media.