Reporters sans Frontières (Paris)
22 January 2008
press release
Al-Hassane Abdourahman, the driver of French journalists Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson, was released today without having to pay bail, Reporters Without Borders has learned from his lawyer. The organisation is delighted by the decision, taken by the investigating judge in charge of the case.
Abdourahman had been held in Kollo prison camp (20 km south of Niamey) on a charge of "complicity in a violation of state security." His lawyer, Daouda Samna, filed a request for his release on 18 January after a similar request submitted by the lawyer of the two French journalists was accepted. "He left the prison this morning and is now with his family," Samna said.
Dandois and Creisson returned to France after being released on bail on 18 January. They were arrested on 17 December on charges of "violating state security" after going to Niger on assignment for the Franco-German TV station Arte.
Reporters Without Borders defends imprisoned journalists and press freedom throughout the world. It has nine national sections (Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). It has representatives in Bangkok, London, New York, Tokyo and Washington. And it has more than 120 correspondents worldwide.
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