CPJ welcomes release of Ivorian journalist Hermann Aboa

 New York, 06 Jan – (ANA) - The Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ has welcomed a decision by a judge in Abidjan to release on bail former Ivorian state television presenter Hermann Aboa and calls on prosecutors to drop the politicised charges against him.

Aboa had been incarcerated for 163 days in Abidjan’s main MACA prison on a series of anti-state charges. The prosecution was based on his role as a moderator of a political talk show on state Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) during the rule of deposed former President Laurent Gbagbo.

The charges against Aboa, including endangering state security and public order, participation in an insurrection, and incitement to ethnic hatred, have not been dropped, Deputy Public Prosecutor Noël Djè was quoted in news reports as saying. Based on footage of the contentious program, “Raison d’État” (National Interest), CPJ determined that any charges based on Aboa’s performance as a journalist were baseless. Aboa was the only one of four program moderators to be prosecuted.

“We are relieved that Ivorian authorities have finally granted Hermann Aboa his freedom,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “Charges based on Aboa’s journalism have no basis and we call on the Ivorian state prosecutor to drop them immediately.” (ANA)