Moroccan Journalists Held in Algeria

"This situation must end." - Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice President

Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice President Courtesy: ifj.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Two Moroccan journalists are being denied permission to leave their hotel, subjected to hours of interrogation and their documents withheld, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns these measures by Algerian authorities and demands their freedom of movement be restored.

"Algerian authorities must respect journalists' right to freedom of movement across the country, especially free access to conflict zones so the public can be properly informed," said Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice President. "The treatment meted out to our colleagues is not acceptable. It constitutes a violation of press freedom and shows a repressive attitude against professionals who are only doing their job."

According to Syndicat national de la presse marocaine (SNPM) , IFJ Moroccan affiliate, on September 18 Mohamd Slimani and Hassan Tigbadar were arrested by Algerian security forces. The journalists were in the area to report on the visit to the camps by Mustapha Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud. The two reporters were questioned by Police for over three hours at the airport and their documents seized by officials.

SNPM is insisting the lifting of movement restrictions and demands the end of repeated interrogations. IFJ denounces the failure of Algerian authorities to heed the call from SNPM for the release of the journalists and demands a speedy response to resolve the matter.

"We appealed to the authorities in Algeria from day one for the release of our colleagues. Unfortunately, they are still being held and being questioned every hour by various officials from the police, the gendarmerie and the army," added Mjahed. "This situation must end."