Dear All,
 
An update from GPU-Gambia indicates that all the journalists arrested last week have been granted bail while another journalist was picked up for trying to take photographs at the court. Apparently, United States and British government interest in the case caused Jammeh to quake in his boots. Both the U.S. and UK ambassadors were present in court this morning. The GPU-USA calls upon all to continue applying pressure on the Jammeh dictatorship to drop all charges against the journalists and stop bullying innocent Gambians. Please talke a moment to sign the GPU-USA petition at the following link.
 
http://www.petitiononline.com/gampu123/petition.html
 
Below is the update received from GPU-Gambia.
 
 

GAMBIA PRESS UNION

NO. 5 GARBA JAHUMPA ROAD BAKAU NEWTOWN

P. O. Box 1440, Banjul, The Gambia

email: [log in to unmask] url: www.gambiapressunion.org

June 22, 2009

GMT 14:30

GPU 3, OTHERS GRANTED BAIL, Another Point journalist Arrested

Emil Touray, Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Pa Modou Faal, together with Pap Saine, Ebou Sawaneh, Sam Sarr, Abubacarr Saidy Khan of The Point and Foroyaa newspapers were today granted bail by Magistrate Sainabou Wadda of the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court.

The seven GPU members charged with Conspiracy to publish seditious publication and publishing seditious information were Monday June 22, 2009 granted bail at the sum of  D200, 000 each with two Gambian sureties and two landed properties.

Similar bail conditions were given to Sarata Jabbi-Dibba last Thursday whilst all other six were remanded in state central prisons Mile Two.

The seven journalists arrested since Monday 15 June 2009 and detained at the NIA office in Banjul for three days before their first court appearance Thursday 18 June 2009.  They were charged in the absence of their lawyers, denied bail and subsequently remanded, except Mrs Sarata Jabbi-Dibba who was granted bail the same day.
The accused persons declined to take their plea, arguing that they have not spoken to their lawyers. Lawyer Lamin Camara, counsel for the accused persons was not given access to his clients prior to their appearance in Court today.

The case was adjourned to July 7.

Augustine Kanja of the Point newspaper was today arrested outside the Court premises whilst preparing to take pictures.

Hundreds of Gambians including, journalists and family members of the accused journalists were asked out of the court premises which was heavily guarded by military personnel, armed in riot gear.

The UK High Commissioner and US Ambassador to The Gambia were present in Court.

The Banjul/Serrekunda highway, leading to the Court house was blocked.

 
 


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