16 April 2009

Alert

Publisher of "L'Action" Boussada Ben Ali loses appeal


(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.


Source

Media Foundation for West Africa
PO Box LG 730
30 Duade Street, Kokomlemle
Legon, Accra
Ghana
alerts (@) mediafound.org
Phone: +233 21 242470
Fax: +233 21 221084
 

More on this case

Journalist Boussada Ben Ali convicted of "disseminating false information likely to disturb public order", sentenced to three month imprisonment 6 February 2009 Newspaper editor Boussada Ben Ali still detained after court adjourns case 28 January 2009 "L'Action" editor remanded in custody following complaint brought by finance minister 26 January 2009

Niger

Editor freed after more than two months in custody 30 October 2009 "Le Témoin" newspaper editor released on bail 6 October 2009 Editor imprisoned on defamation charges 25 September 2009 New law grants president absolute control over media regulatory body 9 September 2009 Ailing editor taken to remote prison 2 September 2009


 
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