Media watchdog says Sierra Leone must prosecute journalist’s killers

Yansaneh died on July 27, 2005, two-and-a-half months after he had been assaulted allegedly on the orders of Dr. Fatmata Hassan, an MP of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Although the matter was reported to the police, no action was taken. An inquest later linked the journalist's death to the beatings.

Ahmed Komeh, Bai Bureh Komeh and Aminata Komeh, children of Hassan were among a group of people, assaulted the journalist and fled to the United Kingdom following Yansaneh's death. A High Court in Freetown ruled that the assailants could be extradited to face charges. Four months ago, (January 18, 2007), the office of the Attorney General instructed the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to officially request the British government to extradite the three suspects. However there has not been any progress on the matter.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in a news release on April 12 this year hinted that there are attempts by the authorities to down play the role of Dr. Hassan and urged the government to issue a statement on the case.

SLAJ’s release also announced its intention to pursue the case privately to ensure justice for the journalist.

In a statement the MFWA calls on Sierra Leonean authorities to as a matter of urgency, expedite the process of extradition of Hassan’s children and arraign them before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The MFWA supports SLAJ and any initiatives that would help bring justice. We also encourage all groups and individuals interested in the human rights to support the Association. We think that after the massive atrocities suffered by the Sierra Leonean people during the country’s civil war, such impunity should never be encouraged in Sierra Leone.”

The organisation concluded by calling on President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah to personally ensure that justice in the Yansaneh case before he (Kabbah) leaves office later in the year.