Mali journalist jailed after outburst against military rulers

A Malian journalist was detained Monday after being summoned by the cybercrime prosecutor, days after openly criticising the ruling junta at a media forum in Bamako.

Chahana Takiou, director of the biweekly newspaper “22 September”, was placed under a detention warrant for “undermining state credit through the judiciary”, a judicial source said on condition of anonymity. His trial is scheduled for 27 July.

Family members confirmed the detention.

During the Pan-African Media Forum held in Bamako from 3 to 6 June, Takiou had said: “There is no peace dynamic in Mali. You arrest journalists and instead of judging them under the press regime and press offences, you apply the cybercrime law.”

The Maison de la Presse in Mali released a statement expressing “incomprehension” and “deep concern” over the journalist’s incarceration. It condemned the detention warrant as “a flagrant and serious attack on freedom of opinion and the press”, saying it tarnishes the image of justice, the press, and the country.