9 March 2009

Alert

Publisher of pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper" Halifa Sallah arrested and detained without charge


Incident details

Halifa Sallah

publisher(s)

arrested

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(MFWA/IFEX) - On 8 March 2009, Halifa Sallah, publisher of pro-opposition "Foroyaa Newspaper" was arrested and detained at a police station in Serrekunda, The Gambia's second largest city. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that the police have not given any reasons for his arrest and subsequent detention.

The sources reported three hours after his arrest at about 8:00 p.m. (local time) that Sallah, who had not been charged with any offence, was transferred to another police station in Yumdum, 20 km from Serrekunda.

Sallah is the latest Gambian to be arrested and detained without charge. At a 11 February news conference, Sallah condemned the frequent abuse of human rights in The Gambia, a subject often covered in the "Foroyaa Newspaper". Excerpts can be accessed via the following link: http://tinyurl.com/cac4qz

MFWA is calling on The Gambian authorities to respect the country's constitution by formally charging him before a court of a competent jurisdiction or releasing him immediately and unconditionally.



Source:

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Updates to this story

Charges against newspaper publisher Halifa Sallah dropped 31 March 2009 "Foroyaa Newspaper" publisher released but faces new charges 20 March 2009 Publisher Halifa Sallah faces criminal charges, including "sedition"; Magistrate Court grants bail but poses absurd conditions 13 March 2009

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