The Interior Minister, Hassoumi Massaoudou, said “This man has been collaborating with Boko Haram for some time, and he is actively spreading propaganda and false news in liaison with Boko Haram.
“All his propaganda aims to show… that Niger’s defence and security forces are the criminals… (and) not Boko Haram.” Tchangari was arrested on Monday and charged with “criminal links to the terrorist group Boko Haram”, he said.
He mentioned that the city cannot “tolerate such an active collaboration with terrorists”, or such“systematic spreading of false news.” Tchangari’s organisation Alternative Espace Citoyen has been critical of the humanitarian crisis in southeastern Niger, where the army is fighting Boko Haram.
In early May, his group published a report that criticised the Niger authorities after the evacuation of some 25,000 Lake Chad residents over fears of new Islamist attacks, following a deadly assault in late April. At the time, Tchangari said thousands of men, women, children and elderly Lake Chad residents “walked for more than 50 kilometres (30 miles)” until they reached safety.
In early May, a UN source said the evacuees were living in “dramatic” conditions, without tents or shelter, and in some cases without access to drinking water. In a statement Tuesday, Amnesty International called on Niger to free Tchangari “immediately”, saying: “The fight against Boko Haram must not serve as a pretext to violate free speech.”
-- Source
As for my concern, It's a very bad news for a country. If journalist will collaborate with Boko Haram and give them latest news and update of the country then it is impossible to take away them from a country.
ReplyDelete