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Alert

Editor and two journalists accused of defaming businessman, arrested and held in detention

(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 May 2006, the editor and two journalists of the community newspaper "Mabarwe", published in Mozambique's Barue district, were arrested following a complaint from a local businessman that the newspaper had defamed him. The media workers are still in custody and MISA-Mozambique is attempting to secure their release.

"Mabarwe" editor Sebastiao Canjera, news editor Joao Mascarenhas, and reporter Patreque Francisco are accused of defaming Barue businessman Tiago Pangaia. Pangaia had been arrested for allegedly stealing 70 head of cattle. The provincial attorney's office, however, ordered his release on the grounds of insufficient proof.

Pangaia sued "Mabarwe" for publishing a news item about his arrest. The deputy provincial attorney, Jose Abede, ordered the arrest of the three journalists on 3 May, the same day on which he was due to participate in a public debate on media freedom organised by the Manica chapter of MISA-Mozambique.

MISA-Mozambique's head office has since been in discussions with Abede's superior, provincial attorney Tomas Zandamela, who confirmed that the journalists are still in the prison in the provincial capital, Chimoio.

Zandamela also admitted that libel is not a crime for which suspects can be detained preventively. The normal procedure in such cases is for the accused to await trial at liberty. He promised to investigate the matter.

MISA-Mozambique has publicly commented that the arrests are "an abuse of power, and a flagrant act of intimidation of Mozambican media professionals".

MISA-Mozambique has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the three journalists, and called on the Attorney General's Office to take disciplinary measures against Abede.