Arrested journalist granted bail in Mali

By Godfrey Olukya 4-3-2013

A journalist who has spent over twenty days in detention in Mali has today been granted court bail.

Boukary Daou, the editor of a Mali daily called ‘Le Républicain’, was arrested early last month on allegations of publishing a letter critical of the government and its leaders.

‘He has been in detention for about 27 days’ said Beka Hamuod, a local journalist in Mali.’ It is unfortunate that the state and its security agencies have waged war against journalist.’ he added.

Hamoud said that there is no freedom of speech in Mali and writing against some individuals in the government leads to imprisonment.

International journalists protection organization called, ‘The Committee to Protect Journalists(CPJ’) has appreciated decision by a judge in Mali to grant bail Daou.

CPJ has called upon the public prosecutor handling Daou’s case to drop the charges against him since they violate his human rights.

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