Good news! Journalist released after COVID-19 alert

On 26 March, journalist Mamane Kaka Touda was released after being detained for three weeks in Niamey Prison, Niger, for publishing a post on social media regarding a suspected case of COVID-19 infection in Niamey Reference Hospital. He was given a three-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay one franc as symbolic compensation. His lawyer has appealed the sentence.

He sends this message to Amnesty International and all those that took action on his behalf: “I want to thank and encourage those who were mobilized for my release. Arbitrary arrests and detentions will not stop us doing our work. We will keep fighting. I am grateful, thank you!”

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