Mali journalist detained after criticising junta at media forum

A Malian journalist was placed in detention on Monday after being summoned to court, days after openly criticising the ruling junta during a media forum in Bamako.

Chahana Takiou, publisher of the Malian biweekly newspaper “22 September,” was summoned by the prosecutor of the cybercrime unit on Monday afternoon following his remarks against the junta at the Pan-African Media Forum, held in Bamako from June 3 to 6.

“Journalist Chahana Takiou has been placed under a detention warrant for ‘undermining the credit of the State through the judicial institution,'” a judicial source speaking on condition of anonymity said on Monday evening, adding that his trial is scheduled for July 27.

Family members of Mr. Takiou confirmed the detention.

“There is no peace dynamic in Mali. You arrest journalists and instead of judging them under the press regime and press offences in Mali, you apply the cybercrime law,” Mr. Takiou had declared during the forum, in a panel moderated by Idrissa Hamidou Touré, prosecutor of a court in Bamako.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the Maison de la Presse in Mali expressed its “incomprehension” and “deep concern” following the journalist’s incarceration.

“The Maison de la Presse and professional media organisations strongly condemn this detention warrant, which tarnishes the image of the judiciary, the press and (our) country,” the statement said, calling it “a flagrant and serious attack on freedom of opinion and the press.”