The Niamey court of appeal upheld the three-month sentence handed to Boussada Ben Ali, publisher of "L'Action" weekly
(MFWA/IFEX) – On 14 April 2009, the Niamey court of appeal upheld the three-month sentence handed to Boussada Ben Ali, publisher of “L’Action” weekly newspaper, by a Niamey magistrate court.
Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) correspondent reported that the appeal court confirmed both the three-month prison sentence and the 50,000 franc (approx. US$100) fine imposed on Boussada.
Following a story published in the 13 January 2009 edition of “L’Action” headlined: “At the Ministry of Finance: A deal of 806 430 933 Francs CFA to SIM”, Boussada was sued by the state and charged with “dissemination of false news likely to disturb public order”. He was subsequently handed the three-month sentence by the Niamey magistrate court on 6 February 2009.
Boussada is expected to remain in prison until 23 April 2009.