Gambia UPDATE: Newspaper publisher makes first appearance in court

Pap Saine, editor and co-publisher of The Point, a Banjul-based privately-owned newspaper, charged with “publishing and broadcasting false information” on February 04, 2009, made his first appearance at the Kanifing magistrate’s court.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s sources reported that the court has since adjourned the case and Saine will reappear on February 19.

Saine and his senior reporter, Modou Sanyang, were arrested by the police on February 2, over a January 30 story about the arrest and detention of a Gambian diplomat at the Mile 2 Prison.

The sources said although the authorities failed to refute the newspaper’s claim, they tried to coerce Saine to disclose the source of the information.

Saine, who was sick at the time of his arrest, was detained from 2pm to 9pm local time. He was granted bail in the sum of 50, 000 Gambian Dalasis (approx. 2000 US$).

Media Foundation for West Africa