This is the sentence handed down on Friday February 23 by the Dixinn court against the secretary general of the Union of Press Professionals of Guinea, prosecuted for having called for demonstrations against internet and media censorship in Guinea.
1 min
With our correspondent in Conakry, Matthias Raynal
Shortly after noon, a van stopped in front of the Dixinn court. The doors open, Sékou Jamal Pendessa appears. “ The moment of truth has come! » Very theatrical, the general secretary of the Press Union pronounces this sentence with his fist raised, in front of the journalists, some who have come to cover his trial, others there to support him.
But an hour later, it was the hammer blow. As we leave the court, faces are closed. Pendessa has just been sentenced to three months in prison. Hot reaction from Ibrahima Sory and Lincoln Soumah, deputy director of FIM FM radio: “ Journalists, let’s not give up. It’s time to fight. All they have to do is put us all in jail! We are already not working, we are already dead because we no longer have any income. It is time to mobilize for the Guinean press. Let’s start with our bosses. No one is here today, it’s a disappointment. »
Journalists let their anger explode like Ibrahima Kalil Diallo, the deputy general secretary of the press union: “ War has been declared against the press, against people who love peace, freedom, justice, democracy in our country. As we promised at the very beginning, we are ready to fight this war to the end and at the cost of our blood. »
The Press Union called a general meeting this morning at the Labor Exchange.