Gambian Authorities Charge Seven Journalists with Sedition

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-06-19-voa5.cfm

By James Butty
19 June 2009

Seven Gambian Press Union (GPU) executives and newspaper journalists arrested earlier this week were charged late Thursday. The charges included conspiracy to publish with seditious intention.

The journalists, who pleaded not guilty, were denied bail and reportedly sent to prison.

Their arrests came after the GPU issued a statement criticizing President Yahya Jammeh for making insensitive comments about the unresolved 2004 assassination of journalist Deyda Hydara.

All attempts to get a reaction from the Gambian government failed as VOA was told that President Jammeh had also assumed the post of minister of information.

Ndey Tapha Sosseh, president of the Gambia Press Union, said from the Malian capital, Bamako that Gambian authorities also arrested Halifa Sallah, a board member of the Foroyaa newspaper.

"What I can confirm is that Thursday afternoon, 4 p.m. GMT, seven Gambian journalists were taken to the state prison, Mile Two Central Prison after being charged with seditious publications," she said.

FULL story at link.