Top Chadian Blogger Arrested in N'Djamena
Jean Laokolé, Chadian blogger and writer, was arrested Friday, March 22 by members of the security forces in N'Djamena, the Chadian capital. He was arrested by a group of men in civilian clothes while he was driving with his family in the district Atrone in N'Djamena.
Jean Laokolé contributed last year under an assumed name on the Chadian famous blog http://makaila.over-blog.com/. In his articles, he denounced corruption, poor governance and nepotism that prevail in this country located in the Central part of Africa. He was identified by the intelligence services.
The day of his arrest, men in plainclothes forced him into their vehicle and took him to an unknown destination. Although authorities have not revealed what happened to him, he was seen on Monday, March 25 in a former military camp in N'Djamena, the OCAM camp, located behind the High School of the Sacré Coeur. He was then transferred to the military camp of the EUFOR force, now called "Amsinene camp." According to activists for human rights in Chad, this place is used to torture political activists.
Agrandir le plan
According to various sources, including family members, police summoned Jean Laokolé March 22 allegedly about an article published on a blog. He was suspected of bringing "false accusations" against a group of people who may filled a complaint against him. Negotiations for a compromise were underway between all the parties: They finally agreed that Jean Laokolé would write an apology on this blog and would also send a letter of apology to those likely to have been injured by the blog post. He planned to do so on Saturday, March 23.
Since his arrest, his supporters are on wiretapping: on March 25, 2013, a blog close to power, visiondutchad.net published an article in which a telephone conversation between Makaila Nguebla, blogger and editor of the blog on which John Laokolé wrote under a pseudonym, and Eric Tapona, president of the Chadian Association of Journalists is transcribed.
Find all articles by Jean Laokolé published on the blog http://makaila.over-blog.com/:
http://www.over-blog.com/recherche/Vourboub% C3% A9 + Pierre + blog: makaila.over-blog.com
Find the statement issued by Amnesty International on March 25, 2013:
http://www.amnesty.org/fr/library/info/AFR20/001/2013/fr