CPJ urges Gambia to release or charge detained journalist
The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ has called on Gambian authorities to immediately release or charge a journalist, who has been in detention without charge longer than the country's 72 hours limit.
Abdulhamid Adiamoh, managing editor of privately-owned Today newspaper was arrested Wednesday in connection with an opinion article on the Vice chancellor Professor Kah.
"Counsel sidesteps issues in cross-examination of [vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia ] Professor Kah," was the titled of the article, a CPJ press statement said.
In the article, he criticized a defense lawyer in the criminal trial of a former lecturer at the university.
Judge Taiwo Alagbe Ade of the magistrate's court in the capital, Banjul ordered Adiamoh's arrest on accusations of misreporting the defense counsel's cross-examination of a witness.
Media reports said the Judge also ordered that he be brought to court on June 28.
Local journalists told CPJ that he was denied bail and has been transferred to Mile 2 central prison.
Police spokesman Yorro Mballow told CPJ that Adiamoh was in detention for "just two days," but declined to clarify the journalist's current status.
"I can't say anything about this. I am not saying he was released. He is before the court, and I can't speak for the court," Mballow said.
"Journalists should be allowed to shine a light on court proceedings without fearing that their coverage will land them behind bars," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita in New York. "Authorities should release Abdulhamid Adiamoh immediately."
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