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Gambian court detains seven journalists again

03 Jul 2009 13:19:42 GMT
Source: Reuters

BANJUL, July 3 (Reuters) - Gambia's High Court jailed seven journalists who were out on bail after being charged with sedition and has brought new charges against them, legal sources said on Friday.

The arrests have been condemned by global press freedom groups and have increased the concerns of Western donors about the West African country. The journalists were initially arrested after the Gambia Press Union issued a statement last month that was critical of the government's treatment of the media, especially after the unexplained death of veteran reporter Deyda Hydara in 2004.

Having been freed on bail last week, the group of journalists was due to face the charges on July 7. But they were summoned to Banjul's High Court on Friday, which has remanded them in Mile Two prison until Wednesday, lawyers said.

"It came as a complete surprise to all of us. No legal reason was given," a legal source told Reuters, asking not to be named.

"More or less the same charges were replicated in the High Court in Banjul, with two additional charges," he added.

A second legal source, who also asked not to be named, confirmed that the journalists had been sent back to prison and said the additional charges included criminal defamation.

Those charged include three members of the press union, two reporters from The Point newspaper and two journalists working for Foroyaa newspaper. One of the journalists for The Point, Pap Saine, also reports for Reuters.

Gambia has long been criticised for its treatment of journalists but watchdog Reporters Without Borders said the current case had taken the harassment to unprecedented levels.

The case has also increased the unease of Western embassies over human rights in the nation that is home to 1.8 million people and attracts thousands of British holiday-makers to its beaches every year.

The second legal source said that three of the journalists who were detained again on Friday appeared to be unwell. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)

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