Niger

RFI head calls for clemency for jailed journalist

Article published on the 2008-09-24 Latest update 2008-09-24 12:11 TU

Alain de Pouzilhac on a demonstration for Moussa Kaka's release last week
(Photo: Patrick Bontant)

The head of Radio France Internationale, Alain de Pouzilhac, paid a visit to Niger's President Mamadou Tandja in Niamey on Wednesday to appeal for clemency in the case of Moussa Kaka, RFI correspondent, who has been in detention for over a year.

"We discussed this issue very openly and asked for clemency," said de Pouzilhac, who was accompanied by the France's international broadcasting Director General, Christine Ockrent.

Moussa Kaka was arrested on 20 September 2007. A week later he was charged with “complicity in undermining the authority of the state”.

Last week, the prosecution asked the court of appeals in Niamey to requalify the charges as an act "threatening national security."

In early July 2008, a senior judge ruled that prosecutors had no case and ordered the charges dropped.