The case between the Cameroon
government and three journalists at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal has been
adjourned to February 19 2016. Reports say today’s hearing lasted only for 27 minutes.
The interim Judge at the Tribunal, Justice
Yvonne Leopoldine Akoa adjourned the matter after defense lawyers, Jean Robert
Fojou and Jean Pierre Manyim requested more time to study the case and the accusation
against their clients.
Baba Wame, Rodrigue
Ndeutchoua Tongue, and Félix Cyriaque Ebolé Bola were dragged to court since
2014 over what is being considered as the “non-denunciation” charges. The accused have
denied all the allegations.
The three journalists
had been investigating allegations of collusion between elements of the
security forces and a leader of an armed group from Central African Republic
that had been accused of previously attacking a town in the east of Cameroon.
They were charged with failing to share information that could harm national
security.
Rights group Amnesty International
and Reporters without Borders have called on government to drop all the charges
demanding that Cameroon’s Criminal Code be reformed in conformity with
international standards to protect freedom of expression and the
confidentiality of sources.
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