Two Guinean newspaper directors handed suspended prison terms for defamation

A court in the Guinean capital of Conakry has handed down suspended prison sentences to two private newspaper directors in connection with articles alleging corruption by a former government minister, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported quoting local journalists..

A man walks in an empty Conakry street in January 2007, following clashes with police forces. Over three million families in Guinea, one of the world's poorest countries, lost their livelihoods due to looting during violent trade union protests earlier this year, Amnesty International said recently.(AFP/File/Georges Gobet)

Thiernodjo Diallo of La Vérité and Abdoul Azziz Camara of Libération were each sentenced Monday to six-month prison terms, a total fine of 50 million Guinean francs (US$13,000), and ordered to publish the verdict, defence lawyer Christian Sow told CPJ. An appeal was filed this morning, according to Sow.

Former Public Works minister Bahna Sidibé filed charges after articles published in March and April accused him of embezzlement.

“Defamation matters should be settled in civil courts, in line with international standards,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “We call on the appeals court to overturn the criminal convictions of Thierno Diallo and Abdoul Azziz Camara and urge authorities to decriminalise defamation.”

Libel cases in Guinea remain criminal matters under the country’s harsh press code, which compels reporters to reveal sources if asked to by the state prosecutor’s office.

In February, security forces loyal to President Lansana Conté, in power for 23 years, cracked down on the media after rising prices sparked peaceful national strikes. At least 130 people were killed, however, in a violent response by security forces, according to international news reports. In 2006, Transparency International ranked the bauxite-rich West African nation as the most corrupt country in Africa.