Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NIAMEY31
2009-01-27 10:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:  

Niger: Latest Arrest of a Journalist Reflects No Change of

Tags:  PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO NG 
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VZCZCXRO5883
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0031 0271054
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271054Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4817
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0773
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000031 

DEPT FOR AF/W DENNISON, AF/RSA, DRL/AE, AND AF/PDPA LISENBY

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Latest Arrest of a Journalist Reflects No Change of
Environment for the Media in 2009

REF: 08 Niamey 1095

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000031

DEPT FOR AF/W DENNISON, AF/RSA, DRL/AE, AND AF/PDPA LISENBY

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI KCOR KPAO NG
SUBJECT: Niger: Latest Arrest of a Journalist Reflects No Change of
Environment for the Media in 2009

REF: 08 Niamey 1095


1. SUMMARY: On January 23, Nigerien Judicial Police arrested
Boussada Ben Ali, publication director for independent weekly
newspaper "L'Action" following a complaint lodged by Minister of the
Economy and Finance Mahamane Ali Lamine Zeine.


2. Police arrested Boussada for allegedly "divulging information
likely to undermine public order." The charge stems from an article
published in the January 13, 2009 edition of "L'Action," which
openly questioned the minister's awarding of a contract for the
procurement of medical equipment. The same article also reported
that the minister had inappropriately diverted FCFA 127 billion
(approximately $257 million) from an oil agreement between Niger and
China.


3. On January 17, the High Council for Communications - Niger's
media regulatory body - summoned Ben Ali - to view a video on the
matter that the regulatory body said was evidence against his claim.
The High Council ordered him to retract the story about the
minister, but he refused.


4. The Judicial Tribunal of Niamey arraigned Ben Ali and remanded
him to prison on January 26. His trial is scheduled to begin on
January 27, 2009.


5. Comment: Ben Ali's case is the latest arrest of a journalist by
GON authorities under Niger's criminal libel statues (reftel).

ALLEN