Two journalists threatened with death in hostile e-mails

Photo : Baboucarr Ceesay et Abubaccar Saidykhan

Reporters Without Borders is deeply concerned by death threats received in e-mails yesterday by the journalists Baboucarr Ceesay and Abubaccar Saidykhan, against whom charges of conspiracy and inciting violence were dropped earlier this week.

“The conditions that journalists face in Gambia have deteriorated to alarming extent,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Since August this year, Yahya Jammeh, a predator of freedom of information, has been increasing judicial and administrative pressure on journalists working for independent news organizations".

“Encouraged by these methods, the Gambian president’s supporters are prepared to resort to murder when journalists dare to criticize the government. We urge the authorities to call a halt to their campaign to undermine the credibility of the media and to guarantee journalists the safety they deserve, starting immediately by opening a proper investigation into the threats received by Baboucarr Ceesay and Abubaccar Saidykhan".

The two journalists were arrested and charged in early September after calling for a peaceful demonstration against a wave of executions of prisoners ordered by Jammeh in August. Each received the following e-mail yesterday:

"Unpatriotic Citizens,
Read this Tobaski warning. It is left to you to make a choice. You choose to live or die. You must take one.
I know that you know what my name Mofala means in your own language Mandinka. You are stubborn fucking guys who want to destroy the image of the APRC Government and our affectionate President Yahya Jammeh. You think that you can apply for permit to bring the Tnisian,Egypt, Algeria,Seria and Libya situation here. I will come with my team of patriotic killers who kill for the love of our country and our president.
The police are not the best guys to deal with you.
I have stepped in voluntarily to kill all of you and if you deny this just ignore my warning.
I know that you are dealing with Gambian dissidents abroad, but you will not survive it at all.
For the fact that your stupid colleagues who called themselves Journalists give me your email addresses shows that you are easy to finish.
[...]
We will get all of you and slaughter you like Tobaski Rams.
We will come for you without any further information.
We will fuck you to death soon. None of you will escape.

From Mofala Jato and his team of patriotic killers."

See below a screenshot of the threatening message.

Death threats

Published on Friday 26 October 2012 by RSF