In Senegal, the journalist Pape Alé Niang was heard on Friday December 9 for the first time by the investigating judge, more than a month after his arrest on November 6. The boss of the private media Dakar Morningknown for his criticism of the power of President Macky Sall, is notably accused of ” dissemination of military information ” and ” spreading fake news “. His defense filed a request for provisional release.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
The hearing lasted a little over two hours, and ” it went very well “says his defense. Pape Alé Niang went on a hunger strike on December 2 to protest against his “ imprisonment unfair and arbitrary “. He remains determined, according to Mr. Moussa Sarr, one of his lawyers:
” Pape Alé Niang is tried, he started a hunger strike, but despite this, he showed courage, resilience and humility, and answered all the questions with relevance, demonstrating the unfoundedness of the offenses for which he is being prosecuted. But we are hopeful that our request for provisional release will be granted. »
Without going into the details of the hearing, in the name of the secrecy of the investigation, Maître Moussa Sarr underlines that Pape Alé Niang was not questioned on an internal report of the gendarmerie, in connection with the legal proceedings aimed at the opposing Ousmane Sonko. National and international press associations demand the immediate release of the journalist.
” Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Senegal “, assured for his part the Minister of Communication before the National Assembly on November 19, adding “ freedom of the press should not be confused with anarchy “.