Newspaper publisher freed after more than a year in detention

Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that newspaper publisher Ousmane Sy Savané was finally released on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, after being held for just over 13 months on a charge of endangering state security. However, his release is only provisional, and Reporters Without Borders joins the National Union of Côte d’Ivoire Journalists (UNJCI) in calling for his definitive release. The CEO of the Cyclone publishing house, Savané had been held since 27 March 2012. “We welcome this decision by the Ivorian judicial system, but we urge the authorities to drop all charges against Savané, who was held for more than a year without any hard evidence being produced to support the charge,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Impartial justice is essential for reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire. We hope that this development will mark the end of the judicial system’s use of detention against journalists who are just doing their job.” Reporters Without Borders also urges the Ivorian authorities to pursue effort to guarantee real freedom of expression. More Information on Savané’s case More information about media freedom in Côte d’Ivoire