Sudan
Journalists set free in Sudan

afrol News, 28 October - Alfred Taban, BBC and Reuters correspondent, and Niel Paul, general manager of the independent daily The Khartoum Monitor, which had been arrested in Sudan three days ago, have now been set free, according to press reports.

Journalists Taban and Paul had bee three days in detention were let to go this evening, but still face possible charges including defaming the Sudanese Government, the BBC reports. 

According to the media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF - Reporters Without Borders), Alfred Taban, BBC and Reuters correspondent, was arrested at home by plainclothes security members, on 24 October in the night. Niel Paul, general manager of the independent daily The Khartoum Monitor was also arrested the same night. The authorities did not give any reason for these arrests.

In a letter sent to the Sudanese government yesterday, RSF had asked for the immediate release of the two journalists. "Since the beginning of the year this is the third time that Alfred Taban is arrested for no reason. If the regime has something against these journalists it has to say so clearly", RSF general secretary Robert Ménard stated. 

On 24 February 2001, Alfred Taban was arrested and held for a few hours. On 12 April he was arrested again and released five days later with no explanation. The Khartoum Monitor is the only English-language daily in Sudan. It is famous for its criticism of government policies, especially concerning the south of the country.

Sources: RSF, BBC and afrol archives

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