GPU Condemns Journalist’s Continued Detention

Alagie Jobe is still under detention beyond the legal limit of 72 hours – following his arrest on Feb. 7, 2013

The Gambia Press Union has condemned the continuous dentention of Alagie Jobe. It is exactly two weeks since the arrest of Mr Jobe, deputy editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer by agents of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Jobe’s arrest and subsequent detention is said to be in “connection with attempting to facilitate asylum” for an unnamed person.

Bai Emil Touray, President of the GPU, has said that the continued detention of Jobe is not in accordance with the law. The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is the umbrella body of all journalists and media houses in the country.

In the past, the union had taken a more proactive role in handling media and journalists related affairs in a country seen by pro media and freedom of expression groups as repressive. The GPU president was speaking in an exclusive interview with Front Page International (FPI) at his office.

Mr. Touray also revealed that the union will issue an official statement over the weekend.

Madikhan Jobarteh who works at the production department of the Daily Observer was also reportedly arrested by the NIA on Thursday 7 February 2013 but released later the same day. No conditions were attached to Jobarteh’s release a source had told FPI. Assan Sallah a news editor at the same company was also pick up days later, spent an overnight in detention and released on bail. Sallah is still reporting to the NIA at regular intervals as part of conditions of his release.

Recently, reports of a failed attempt to abduct and possibly kill a local journalist have also emerged. A reported late night raid on BaboucarrCeesay’s residence by unknown personnel sent cold fear into journalist’s family. Details of the said raid are sketchy and the whereabouts of Mr Ceesay who is also the 1^st vice president of GPU remain unknown. An eyewitness of the raid said one of the raiders was later identified as an agent of the NIA.

The GPU weekend statement is expected to give further details on the Babucarr Ceesay issue as well. FPI will report all details accordingly.