Joseph
Gnahoua Titi, managing editor of the Aujourd'hui newspaper, appeared before an
examining magistrate in Cote d’Ivoire for “disseminating false
information" and “libel against the head of state.”
Before being
arrested and detained at the Abidjan Remand Home and Prison on July 29, Titi
was summoned together with his editor-in-chief, Séverine Blé, on July 28. The
two were summoned to explain a publication in Aujourd'hui. Titi was questioned
for nearly five hours.
The said
article, published on July 21 and titled "President Ouattara is extremely
rich. His wealth is estimated at 17 billion US dollars,” allegedly “impugned
the integrity” of Ivorian President Alassanne Ouattara.
During the
interrogation, Titi said the article was based on published information made
available by France’s external intelligence agency, the General Directorate of
External Security (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieur-DGSE).
According to
the MFWA’s correspondent in Cote d’Ivoire, the reports from the General
Directorate of External Security are unpopular in the country.
“These
reports from the DGSE are alleged to have impugned the integrity of the Abidjan
regime with regard to the violation of the arms embargo, the massive
misappropriation of the public purse and electoral fraud,” our correspondent
said.
The MFWA
condemns the arrest and detention of Titi. Press offences were decriminalized
in Côte d’Ivoire in 2004, hence the arrest and detention of Titi violates
Ivorian law in addition to Titi’s rights as a journalist.
MFWA
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