Diarra Youssouf, also known as Gnaore David, a reporter of the Gagnoa-based pro-opposition L’Expression daily newspaper in Cote d’Ivoire, was summoned to the Police station for questioning by the Regional Police Commander for allegedly relaying information to France 24 television station and other Ivorian media.
The summons originated from demonstrations organised by Rallye des Houphouétistes pour la Démocratie et pour la Paix (RHDP), a coalition of the four main opposition parties in the country, against President Laurent Gbagbo’s call for the dissolution of the government and the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI).
On February 19, the set date for the demonstration, the RHDP activists descended onto the streets to protest what they referred to as a “coup d’état” during which the security forces fired live bullets on them killing five and wounding others. Youssouf took footages of the clampdown and relayed it to the some of the media in Cote d’Ivoire including France 24 television station.
The journalist, who did not deny using the information when confronted by the police commander, was carrying on with his normal duties until May 5 when he was summoned to the police station, allegedly, in a matter concerning him.”