The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the Senegalese judiciary to investigate and prosecute the persons responsible for ordering the ransacking of two Senegalese newspapers after 12 members of the gang were convicted. Among those convicted were relatives of the former Minister for the Craft Industry and Air Transports.  

“We welcome the successful convictions of the gang as an important progress in the struggle to end impunity for journalists’ attackers,” said Gabriel Baglo, the Director of IFJ Africa office. “However, there will be no justice until those that ordered the attacks are charged and convicted and the fear of future violence will remain over the heads of our colleagues.”

Twelve men accused of taking part in the attacks on 17 August against L’As and 24 Heures Chrono newspapers were sentenced yesterday for robbery, aggravated voluntary assault, damage to property and criminal association by a court in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Five of them considered as the “brains” behind the attacks, including the driver and two bodyguards of the former Minister for the Craft Industry and Air Transports, Farba Senghor, all of whom received six years each, while the others received five year sentences. They were also given a collective fine of 22 million Francs CFA (34,000 Euros).

The lawyers of the three relatives of the minister lodged an appeal.

Mr. Farba Senghor has been accused by local press of being behind the attacks as both newspapers published controversial articles about the Minister’s former wife.

Mr. Senghor was relieved of his ministerial functions on 28 August after his name was brought up in the investigation. On Wednesday President Abdoulaye Wade, who is on a visit to France, told the press that there are « very serious presumptions » against Senghor and he could « face the High Court » of Justice.

In another case, the IFJ protested against the “disproportionate” three years jail sentence pronounced today against El Malick Seck publisher of 24 Heures Chrono newspaper for printing false news and offending President Wade. Seck had been arrested on August 28, the same day his newspaper published an article alleging the President and his son were mixed up with laundering money stolen in Ivory Coast. The court also banned 24 Heures Chrono from publishing for three months.

The IFJ also calls for action against those responsible for the attacks on two journalists, Boubacar Campbell Dieng of Radio Futurs Media and Karamokho Thioune of the West Africa Democracy Radio. Dieng and Thioune were physically assaulted on June 21 by police after a football match.

For more information contact the IFJ at +221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 members in 120 countries worldwide