RSF is deeply
shocked by the imprisonment of Mohammed Benchicou, managing
editor of the daily "Le Matin", following
the 14 June 2004 verdict sentencing him to two years
in prison for a "violation of foreign exchange
controls". The organisation vigorously denounces
the dangerous escalation of repression of Algeria's
private press since the presidential election.
"We are
stunned by the severity of the sentence against Benchicou.
The violation of foreign exchange controls is a pretext
to silence this journalist, but also a warning to all
those who dared to criticise the government during the
presidential campaign. The imprisonment of Hafnaoui
Ghoul on 24 May, who denounced local officials' misuse
of public funds, and that of Benchicou, whose newspaper
did not hesitate to bring to light serious political
dysfunctions, illustrate the government's fierce repression
of a segment of the press. President Bouteflika, who
a few months ago compared journalists to 'terrorists'
and 'mercenaries with pens', is now pursuing his dangerous
logic of repression of freedom of expression,"
said RSF.
On 14 June, Benchicou
was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 20
million dinars (approx. US$280,000; 230,000 euros).
Placed under a committal order, he was taken to El-Harrach
prison in suburban Algiers as soon as the verdict was
delivered. On 23 August 2003, upon his return from France,
Benchicou was found to be in possession of a large sum
of money in payment orders. The finance minister lodged
a complaint for "violation of rules governing foreign
exchange and the movement of capital", after which
Benchicou was placed under formal investigation. Despite
the various warnings directed at Benchicou, "Le
Matin" did not alter its editorial line, most notably
during the presidential campaign. In February 2004,
Benchicou published a pamphlet entitled, "Bouteflika,
an Algerian imposture".
In Algeria, journalists
are already mobilised and a national committee has been
created to demand the release of Benchicou and Ghoul.
Pour tout
renseignement complémentaire, veuillez contacter
Agnès Devictor, RSF, 5, rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris
75009, France, tél: +33 1 44 83 84 84, téléc:
+33 1 45 23 11 51, courrier électronique: norddelafrique@rsf.org, Internet: http://www.rsf.org/ |
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