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France/Ivory Coast
Freed French photo-reporter arrives in Paris
Article published on the 2009-05-09 Latest update 2009-05-09 08:42 TU
Jean-Paul Ney (R) and Modeste Séry leave prison in Abidjan
(Photo: AFP)
French photo-journalist Jean-Paul Ney arrived in Paris early Saturday morning after 16 months in jail in Ivory Coast for alleged involvement in a coup plot. He was freed after a meeting between France's Secretary of State for Co-operation Alain Joyandet and Ivory Coast's President Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday.
Ney, who was met by his parents at the airport, declared himself "very relieved".
"I am tired but OK," he said. "I'm happy to be home."
The freelance photo-reporter was jailed in January 2008 after being arrested in Abidjan the previous December along with another French national and eight west Africans. He was charged with involvement in a terror attack and "plotting against the authority of the state".
Ivory Coast intelligence claimed to have video footage which showed his involvement in the plot. A videoed interview by Ney which was posted on line at the time showed former rebel leader Ibrahim Coulibaly making statements which could have been interpreted as evidence that a coup was being prepared.
Coulibaly is currently in exile,
On his release, along with six Ivorians and other west Africans, on Wednesday, Ney denied any involvement with a coup plot. He says that he was simply exercising his profession.
 Freed French journalist heads home |
