Two presenters injured in armed attack on evangelical radio station

Reporters Without Borders today condemned an attack by gunmen on Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN), a protestant-run radio station in Freetown, in the early hours of 4 August in which two radio presenters were shot and seriously injured. “Coming just a few days before general elections on 11 August, this armed attack should be taken seriously,” the press freedom organisation said. “We urge the police to quickly establish the motives, so that BBN is able to cover the elections without its staff feeling in any danger.” An employee said about 10 gunmen burst into BBN's studios at about 4 a.m., pointed their guns at presenters Mohamed Kamara and Patrick Thomas, demanded money, and disarmed a security guard who tried to intervene. The intruders then ordered them to lie down and fired at them, hitting Kamara and Thomas. They took two computers and other equipment as they left. Kamara and Thomas were rushed to hospital for treatment to their injuries, which were not considered life-threatening. The police are investigating and so far they have no reason to think the attack was politically motivated.