- Cameroon's secret service has arrested two journalists working for independent publications for possessing a document that could compromise powerful figures, news sources have said.
The country’s secret service detained Simon Herve Nko'o, from the weekly Bebela, and Serge Sabouang of the bi-monthly La Nation, last Friday for allegedly possessing a document that threatens to reaveal disturbing information on powerful people in the republic.
In a statement, the editorial staff of Bebela denounced the arrest as arbitrary and said Mr Nko'o had not been allowed to contact his family.
Since their arrest on Friday, it remains unclear where the two are being kept. No details were also available of the document the two men are accused of holding.
In July last year, the media watchdog, Committee to Protect Journalists, denounced the spate of threats and harassment carried out by government on journalists.
The organisation reported that media director and reporters in the country have received a number of death threats for publishing stories that highlight corrupt senior government officials.
The organisation has on a number of occasions pleaded with Cameroon’s President Biya to use his influence to end practices that are undermining the free flow of information.
It further requested the government to bring defamation laws in line with international standards by eliminating criminal penalties.
Since Cameroon gained independence in 1961, it has struggled from one-party rule to a multi-party system in which the freedom of expression has been severely limited.
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