Malian Prosecutor opposes provisional release of journalist
Imprisoned since the 8th of June, the director of the 22 Septembre newspaper, Chahana Takiou, was refused provisional release by the Malian cybercrime court on June 29th, according to RFI.
Takiou’s lawyer had asked for his provisional release because of various health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. His lawyers attempted to plead their case by mentioning an operation in 2023 as well as an intensive medical follow-up, with no success.
The journalist had criticised on social media and online forums the lack of respect by the Malian government for free speech laws, particularly with the press.
The journalist, as well as his peer Abdrahamane Keita, director of the newspaper Le Temoin, who also criticised the military junta publicly, are charged with harming the reputation of the state and regionalist offences, all under the umbrella of cybercriminality.
The representatives of the state and the prosecutor stated their opposition to his temporary release by arguing that Chahana Tiakou could attempt to leave the country. Families and friends in the audience stated that the judge attempted to minimise Tiakou’s health issues.
Takiou’s lawyers invoked the Maison de la Presse’s support of the journalist as a guarantee of good faith. The Malian Maison de la Presse, an organisation that ties together all other groups and organisations in the Malian media landscape, has announced that its main goal is to get the two journalists released, as well as a third colleague, Youssouf Sissoko, director of the media L’Alternance, by prioritising institutional discussions with the Malian junta.
The Malian court will give its final verdict concerning the provisional release on the 6th of July. The trial of Chahana Takiou should take place on the 27th of July.
The French NGO Reporters Without Borders, which advocates for free press and free speech, stated that the arrest of Malian journalists in the past few months shows worrying signs of descent into authoritarianism and a barring of free speech.
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.
RFI, Maghrebi.org
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