Journalists' Seditious Case Transferred to High Court

The trial of the seven journalists, who were charged with seditious publication, has now been transferred to the High Court in Banjul.

The journalists who were served yesterday are expected to appear at the High Court tomorrow Friday 3rd July 2009 before Justice Wowo.

They are Ebrima Sawaneh, the News Editor of The Point Newspaper, Pap Saine Co-publisher and Managing Editor of The Point Newspaper, Sam Sarr Editor of Foroyaa Newspaper, Pa Modou Faal, Treasurer of the Gambia Press Union, Emil Touray, Secretary-General of the Gambia Press Union, Abubacarr Saidy-khan, a reporter with the Foroyaa Newspaper, and Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, the Vice- President of the Gambia Press Union.

They were first arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court on three counts of seditious publication.

The case at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court was adjourned to 7th July 2009, to enable the accused persons enter their pleas.

The state has now increased the charges from three counts to five, ranging from "publishing seditious publication, conspiracy to publish seditious publication and criminal defamation."

All the seven accused persons were bailed in the sum of D200, 000, with two Gambian sureties each, all of whom, must deposit their title deeds with the Registrar's Office.