10 March 1999

Alert

Editorial and printer offices under siege; journalists held hostage


Incident details

Bright Phiri, Kelvin Shimo, Joe Kaunda, Amos Malupenga, Lubasi Katunda, Fred M'membe, Sam Mujuda, Dickson Jere, Arthur Simuchoba, Macpherson Muyumba

journalist(s)

detained


(CPJ/IFEX) - The Chachacha Road editorial offices of the independent
daily
newspaper "The Post" are under siege after being surrounded by police
who
will not allow the newspaper's employees to leave the premises. Reporter
Sheik Chifuwe and the entire production staff, including five graphic
designers and three proofreaders, are being held against their will
without
water, food, or electricity.





**Updates previous IFEX alerts of 10 March 1999**

Editor in chief, Fred M'membe, and reporters Dickson Jere, Sam Mujuda,
and
Arthur Simochoba, who are also under siege in the newspaper's printing
press
offices, on Chandwe Musonda Road in the Industrial Area of Lusaka, are
also
being held against their will without water, food, or electricity.

Police officers have stated that they are "operating under orders", and
refuse to provide any additional information about their actions.

A habeas corpus hearing has been scheduled, on 11 March 1999 at 2:15
p.m.
(local time), for detained "The Post" reporters who are being held in
police
custody since their arrests on 9 March.





Source:

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More on this case

Twelve journalists committed to the High Court for trial 19 April 1999 Two more journalists charged with espionage 1 April 1999 Police deny permit for demonstration in support of journalists 26 March 1999 Police question civic leader and editor over "Post" statement 26 March 1999 Newspaper censored 25 March 1999 ARTICLE 19 questions espionage charge 25 March 1999 WAN asks Zambian government to drop spying charges against "Post" journalists 25 March 1999 Two more journalists arrested and charged with espionage 22 March 1999 "Post" editor-in-chief charged, released 22 March 1999 IFJ condemns prosecution of journalists, considers espionage charges unjustified 19 March 1999 Six reporters granted bail 18 March 1999 Six reporters receive summonses, charged with espionage 17 March 1999 Post newspaper back on streets as usual 15 March 1999 Journalists freed unconditionally, buildings remain under siege 12 March 1999 State refuses to bring detained journalists to court, "Post" printed despite odds 11 March 1999 Government succeeds in silencing paper, newsroom and printing press remain besieged 11 March 1999 CPJ condemns arrests of journalists 10 March 1999 "Post" newspaper offices surrounded, four more journalists could be arrested 10 March 1999 Another journalist arrested, others in hiding and being sought by police 10 March 1999 IPI condemns arrest of journalists 10 March 1999 Five journalists arrested, further arrests expected 10 March 1999

At a glance

Zambia
Zambia
 
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