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afrol News, 4 September - There is great concern about the whereabouts of Liberian journalist Hassan Bility, who was arrested on 24 June. The editor of a newspaper critical of the government is accused working for the LURD rebels. Now, also his wife is missing. Reporters sans frontières (RSF) - a Paris-based group defending the freedom of the press - today expressed its "extreme concern" about the fate of Hassan Bility, editor of the privately-owned weekly paper 'The Analyst'. Bility has been accused by the Liberian government of plotting with rebel forces to kill President Charles Taylor. The media watchdogs in a statement strongly criticised the Liberian government's "attitude" and called on it "to respect the Constitution and bring the journalist before a judge." Despite numerous requests since his arrest on 24 June along with two other people, Bility had not appeared in court and the government had not kept its promise to allow a Red Cross representative to see him, RSF informs. The three are being held in a secret place without formal charges. According to RSF, this was a "violation of article 21 of [Liberia's] Constitution, which says anyone arrested must be brought before a court and charged within 48 hours." RSF's renewed concern was prompted by the disappearance of his common-law wife and mother of his two children, Maria Nyenetue, who left Monrovia on 20 August to try to see Mr Bilitiy after apparently receiving word from him that he was Klay, 50 km northwest of Monrovia, and needed some money. She set off after declining to give the money to the person who brought the message. Mr Bility's newspaper - 'The Analyst' - is reported to be "very critical of President Taylor." This makes it one of the few, remaining independent press voices in Monrovia. Taylor's regime routinely has harassed media expressing independent views over the last years. Soon after Mr Bility's 24 June arrest, Information Minister Reginald Goodridge said the journalist had been a "central figure" among "those who have been running cells in Monrovia actively collaborating with the LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) and their supporters in the United States" with the aim of assassinating President Taylor. A LURD spokesman has denied this. In July and August, the authorities refused to present Mr Bility and the two others in court as demanded by several human rights organisations and despite a habeas corpus order by Liberia's supreme military court. According to RSF's 2002 annual report, the situation of the press in Liberia was characterised by "pressure and obstruction" last year. Several journalists were accused of spying and were jailed, private sector newspapers were temporarily closed and there was conflict between the authorities and privately-owned radio stations over the use of radio waves. Sources: Based on RSF and afrol archives
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