The Gambia UPDATE: Journalist's case postponed yet again

Monday, April 21, 2008
The sedition trial against Fatou Jaw Manneh, a US-based Gambian journalist, was on April 14, 2008, adjourned to April 21 by Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrates Court.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that Jawo, adjourned the case on the grounds that defence lawyer, Lamin Jobarteh, was indisposed.

The state counsels, Fatou Bittaye and Ellen Manga, informed the court that Jobarteh was said to be sick.

Manneh, who was arrested upon her arrival from the USA on March 28, 2007, has been charged with three counts of sedition, following a series of online articles she wrote criticising the regime of President Yahya Jammeh.

Since the trial started more than a year ago, there has not been any significant progress. The journalist remains stranded in The Gambia, even though she had been living in the US for a decade prior to her arrest.

The case has been prolonged on numerous occasions and the authorities seem to lack interest in completing the case.

Source: Media Foundation for West Africa http://www.mediafound.org
trial, court, fatou jaw manneh, journalist, arrest, authorities
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