15 May 12 | Africa, Index Index, minipost
A Rwandan community radio presenter is being held in pre-trial detention for “minimising” the 1994 Tutsi genocide. Habarugira Epaphrodite was arrested last month after confusing the Kinyarwanda words for “victims” and “survivors” whilst reading a news report on ceremonies to mark the 18th anniversary of the genocide on 22 April. The error made it sound as though Epaphrodite condoned the genocide. The presenter was fired from the radio station the following day, and was arrested on 24 April. He has been held in prison since his arrest.
07 Feb 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Two journalists were shot by security services, and another detained whilst covering the political unrest in Egypt over the weekend. Mahmoud al-Ghazali, Nile TV correspondent, was shot with pellets early on Saturday morning, whilst reporting on clashes between protesters and security forces. Al-Ghazali was shot in the eye, causing extensive damage. Online journalist Salma Said was shot around 1am on Monday by security forces while she filmed clashes in central Cairo. The journalist was hit in the face, legs and stomach. Mohamed Rabee from independent newspaper Al-Badil was forcibly detained by plain clothed officers yesterday, as he dictated a news story to his colleague via mobile phone.
17 Jan 12 | Africa, Index Index, minipost
21 journalists were detained by security forces in Somalia over the weekend, following demonstrations against ongoing media crackdowns. Police stormed the main headquarters of HornCable TV and two production studios of the television network, in the capital town Hargeisa on Saturday. The following day, at a peaceful protest organised by the journalists, the presidential guard attacked protesters, and arrested 18 staff members from HornCable TV. Police hunted down other journalists who took part in the protest and arrested them. All 21 detained journalists were released yesterday.
30 Sep 11 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Egyptian police raided the offices of Al Jazeera yesterday, for the second time in a month. Around 25 plain clothed police officers stormed the affiliate office, detaining journalist Mohamed Suleiman and roughing up other members of staff. The officers broke down the front door of the office, claiming they had a warrant, which they later failed to present. They also seized staff identification cards and confiscated office equipment. Suleiman was released a few hours after the raid. Police also raided the channel’s former office on 11 September, when they detained an engineer and shut down live broadcasts on the channel.
