RSF denounces the arbitrary arrests of journalists in Mali
The 8th and 9th of June saw two Malian journalists being placed in pre-trial detention. The NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) denounces arbitrary arrests and an instrumentalisation of a specific law on cybercriminality.
According to RFI, Abdrahamane Keita, director of the newspaper Le Temoin, had publicly expressed disapproval that the city of Kidal was in the hands of the JNIM, a jihadist terrorist group linked to Al-Qaida. These statements led to his arrest, and the awaiting of a trial by the judiciary pole specialised in fighting cybercriminality.
Similarly, Chahana Takiou, director of the Malian newspaper 22 Septembre, had criticised on social media and online forums the lack of respect by the Malian government for free speech laws, particulalry with the press.
The 2 journalists are charged with harming the reputation of the state and regionalist offences, all under the umbrella of cybercriminality.
The French NGO RSF has denounced the instrumentalisation of cybercriminality laws, leading to the criminalisation of speech.
Sadibou Marong, director of the regional office for RSF in West Africa, declared these arrests were arbitrary. He further added that these charges and detention were extremely worrying and constitute a new understanding of the Malian landscape for the media and the free press.
Mali has dropped 20 places in the World Press Freedom Index made by RSF, going from the 99th to the 121st spot in only 6 years.
Sadibou Marong further explains that much before the arrival of the transitional military government, Mali held a strong media tradition. The last 6 years have seen intensification of free speech violations, with an international press essentially suspended, and a local media industry under cover or switched for “patriotic” information. RSF’s West Africa director deplores that the cybercriminality law has become a state solution to counter free press.
RSF calls for the release of the two journalists, as well as the cessation of the instrumentalisation of cybersecurity and criminality.
RFI, Maghrebi.com
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