The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has backed its affiliate, the GJA, in calling for an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, and alleged torture of journalists Emmanuel Ajafor Abugri and Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum.
Both journalists, who work for Ghanaian digital media ModernGhana, were arrested and charged with cybercrime on June 27, following the site’s publication of a story criticizing the national security minister.
During the raid, laptops were seized from ModernGhana’s office by national security agents.
Civil society organisations denounced the “Rambo style” of the raid.
The journalists remained in custody for four days. After their release, they denounced alleged torture and mistreatment by the authorities, who “slapped” them several times and checked all their phones and social media accounts without a warrant. They were also forced to remove the posts that were critical of the minister.
These were contained in a statement issued by the IFJ which expressed concern about persistent attacks on Journalists in Ghana.
The GJA President, Roland Affail Monney, said: “on the grounds of democratic principles, freedom and independence of the media and the tradition of defending the rights of journalists, the GJA unequivocally condemns the process and procedure adopted to seek justice over the cybercrime allegedly committed by the journalists.
IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said the arbitrary arrest and torture of journalists for doing their job are very serious allegations.
It urged the authorities to immediately conduct thorough investigation.
