Gabon journo ordered to remain in jail

Published Jul 19, 2007

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Libreville - A court ruled on Wednesday that a Gabon journalist arrested for offending the head of state must remain in jail, rejecting a request that the case be dismissed, his lawyer said.

Guy-Christian Mavioga has been in jail since July 5.

The newspaperman was arrested for offending the head of state and "declarations likely to breach the peace" following an editorial in the independent L'Espoir entitled "Bongo's last days".

Gabon President Omar Bongo, 71 and in power since 1967, came in for sharp criticism.

Mavioga's lawyers sought to have the case dismissed on grounds that the journalist's detention violated freedom of the press laws.

One of his lawyers, Gisele Eyue Bekale, said she was unsure whether they would appeal the decision. If there is no appeal, a hearing will be held July 25.

Gabon's media regulation body has since suspended publication of L'Espoir.

Mavioga is also head of the Christian Democratic Bloc political party, which is allied with the president. - Sapa-AFP

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