Gambia: Journalists freed of ‘conspiracy’ and ‘false publication’ charges

They were arrested on January 13, 2014, detained beyond the legal limit of 72 hours and put on trial on January 16. They maintained their not guilty plea.  Photo credit: The Point

Journalists Trial: ‘Evidence of prosecution witnesses unreliable’

Defence lawyers argue the journalists have no case to answer

Police closes case in trial of journalists

Court reschedules trial of two journalists in Gambia

The Banjul Magistrates Court on Tuesday rescheduled the trial of Musa S. Sheriff, Editor-In-Chief of The Voice newspaper and Sainey MK Marenah, a freelance journalist.

Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of “conspiracy” and “publication of false news” brought against them by the police over a political defections article published by The Voice on December 6, 2013.

They are expected to reappear in court on February 4, 2014 at 12 pm.

THE GAMBIA: Two journalists deny conspiracy, false news charges

Two journalists in The Gambia have pleaded not guilty to charges of “conspiracy to commit felony” and “publication of false news” brought against them by state authorities on Thursday.
 

With three days of detention, Musa S. Sheriff, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of The Voice newspaper and freelance journalist Sainey M.K. Marenah were arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on 16 January.

They have been granted bail in the sum of D20, 000 (about $500) each with one Gambian surety.

Statements issued by media rights groups on the detention of two journalists in The Gambia

• Journalist reporting on refugee issues detained in the Gambia

• The Gambia: Two journalists facing prosecution for conspiracy 

• TWO Gambian journalists unlawfully detained  

• Gambian journalists charged with giving false information

• GPU Statement on Musa Sherrif and Sainey Marenah