A judge on Tuesday ordered the release of a Senegalese journalist and prominent anti-government critic after more than two months in detention, his lawyers said.
Pape Ale Niang, head of the Dakar Matin online news site, was arrested on November 6 and charged with "divulging information likely to harm national defense."
Widely followed in Senegal for his regular columns on current affairs, Niang was released on December 14 but sent back to prison a week later and had since been on a hunger strike in protest over his detention.
Lawyer Moussa Sarr told Agence France-Presse the temporary release order came with a strict ban on Niang commenting on the case as well as a travel ban.
He was "extremely strained" from a hunger strike launched in protest at his detention, the lawyer said, adding that he is still in the hospital.
The journalist has been at Dakar's main hospital since December 24, where doctors have voiced concern about his condition, according to a local press organization.
Another of his lawyers, Cire Cledor Ly, said the case was "political" and Diang ought to end the hunger strike.
"He held out, it was very hard, but he was fighting for a principle and he has won," the lawyer said.
The case against Niang arose after he wrote about rape charges faced by Senegal's main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko.
Niang was accused of describing confidential messages about security arrangements for Sonko's questioning by investigators, according to trade unions.
His detention sparked a wave of criticism from the press, civil society groups and Senegal's opposition, with many calling for his release.
The Coordination of Press Associations put out a statement praising the "victory" of the release order and called for cancellation of the "fantasy and political charges which earned him more than 60 days in prison."
Senegal has a strong reputation for openness and press freedom in West Africa, but this status is in decline, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Its 2022 Press Freedom Index ranked Senegal 73rd out of 180 countries — a fall of 24 places compared with 2021.
Latest Stories
-
#Election2024: Volta Region takes delivery of ballot papers
19 mins -
Dissolve Black Stars and form a new team – Ernest Thompson
22 mins -
‘We’re cruising; victory is beckoning at us’ – Afriyie Ankrah assures NDC faithful
25 mins -
It’s completely senseless to think I bought one coconut for $100 in Brazil – Afriyie Ankrah
35 mins -
‘There is no way an election in Ghana can be rigged’ – EC
38 mins -
Collation Centres Accreditation: EC, GJA and GIBA planning ‘workable and acceptable’ solution for media
53 mins -
Engage locals in tree planting to reclaim degraded lands – Forestry Commission directs mining companies
1 hour -
Ghana Gold Coin goes on sale: A quarter ounce at GH₵11,188.12 on Nov. 26
1 hour -
Special Voting on Monday, 2nd December, 2024 – All you need to know
1 hour -
3rd F.K. Buah Memorial Lecture honours the Educationist, Author, and Statesman
2 hours -
First Sky Group appoints Dr Elorm Amegatsi as Live Patron
2 hours -
Thousands of job opportunities opened for the youth under Ghana’s Petroleum Hub Project – CEO
2 hours -
Gov’t must act on clean air now – Prof Kofi Amegah
3 hours -
Politicians who ignore social media as a constituency risk losing out – Technology Analyst
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo has built over 200 hospitals, most by any president – Ofosu Nkansah
3 hours