Prosecutor calls for heavy prison sentences for two detained journalists

Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage today at the heavy sentences requested by the prosecution in the case against Maman Abou, the publisher of the privately-owned weekly Le Républicain, and his editor, Oumarou Keita. The Niamey prosecutor's office said each of them should sentenced to a year in prison for “disseminating false news,” and another six months in prison for libel, together with fines of 20,000 CFA francs (30 euros) and 50,000 CFA francs (76 euros) for the two offences. Reporters Without Borders reiterated its call for the immediate release of the two journalists, who will already have spent nearly a month in prison when the verdict and sentences are issued on 1 September. They were arrested on 4 August.