IFJ Condemns Brutal Attack Against Journalist in Mali

 

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the brutal attack and kidnapping of a journalist by armed men in Mali.   

 

According to independent sources including AFP, journalist Saouti Haïdara,   Publisher of L’Indépendant a private daily newspaper, was arrestedon Thursday, 12 July, in Bamako by armed men who came in the offices and opened fire in the newsroom.  He was forcefully taken away from his office to an unidentified location, but later freed after several hours of detention. Haïdara, who was later released by his captors, is still admitted in hospital.

 

‘’We condemn in the strongest terms possible this cowardly attack against our colleague Saouti Haidara and press in Mali,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office.

 

“We have noticed an increase of intimidations tactics, threats, arrest and attacks against journalists since the coup. We however, want to remind authorities that they have a duty to ensure the safety and security of journalists and all the citizens of Mali,” Baglo added.

 

The IFJ would once again like to re-echo its concerns on the persistent press freedom violations since the military coup on March 22, coupled with unprecedented arrest of journalists by the security forces.    Malian journalists must be allowed to perform their duties without any form of intimidation from the security forces or other armed groups.

 

 Pour plus d'informations, veuillez contacter la FIJ au +221-33 867 95 87

 La FIJ représente plus de 600.000 journalistes dans 134 pays