2023-05-04 16:00:43
Another chapter of the series “hunt for critical journalists” in Togo, in particular Ferdinand AYITE and Isidore KOUWONOU forced to flee their country, will probably open next week. The Lomé Court of Appeal sent a summons to the lawyer for the two journalists who are called to appear before this court on Thursday May 11, 2023.
It should be recalled that Ferdinand AYITE and Isidore KOUWONOU, respectively Director of Publication and Editor-in-Chief of the Togolese investigative bi-weekly L’ALTERNATIVE, have already been sentenced by the Lomé Court of First Instance, in an expedited trial on March 15, to three (03) years in prison for insulting representatives of public authority, spreading false news, etc. A warrant of arrest has been issued against them. And it was on a complaint from two ministers of the Togolese government, in particular that of Trade, Industry and Local Consumption, Kodjo Adedze and his colleague in charge of Justice, Pius Kokouvi Agbetomey that the two journalists were sentenced. for defamation.
Me Elom Kpade, the lawyer for the two journalists, appealed against this iniquitous decision by the court of first instance in Lomé, which pilloried the freedom of the press. At first, the clerk refused to accept the appeal formulated by the lawyer. The latter had to threaten to take a bailiff before the appeal was accepted. Appealing a court decision is a basic right for the accused or defendants. But in the present case, and since there is a clear desire to harm journalists and trample the freedom of the press, an attempt has been made to refuse this basic right to convicted prisoners.
Today, the two journalists are forced into exile, far from their families, loved ones, without jobs. The newspaper has ceased to appear, the editorial staff finds itself unemployed. A critical voice was therefore muzzled, even if the Minister of Communication and the Media, during a meeting with professional press organizations a few days after the conviction of the two journalists, tried to convince the public that despite this situation, there is freedom of the press in Togo. Fortunately, he only succeeded in convincing himself and the system for which he works, since everyone knows that freedom of the press is an illusion in this country which has been run for more than 50 years by a single family, Gnassingbe.
On May 3, the international community celebrates World Press Freedom Day. An opportunity to once again shine the spotlight on Togo where the authorities of the country are resistant to all criticism, especially that of the independent press which is fighting in really difficult conditions to inform the public. A shame in fact for this so-called democratic country.
On the spot in Lomé, in the chancelleries, the diplomats did not take off compared to this decision which touches the ALTERNATIVE which still dared to put the finger on the system of corruption in the country
In any case, we are awaiting the decision of the Lomé Court of Appeal on May 11.
Source: presse-alternative.info
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