Sierra Leone

August 21, 2007
Original Alert: July 3, 2007
Philip Neville, The Standard Times

New York, July 3, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the criminal prosecution and unreasonable bail conditions facing Sierra Leonean journalist Philip Neville, the editor of The Standard Times who is being held at the Central Prison in Freetown on libel charges.

Defense lawyer J.B. Jenkins Johnston told CPJ that a Freetown court set bail on Monday at 200 million leones (US$68,135), required three sureties as security, and demanded a series of personal documents such as utility bills and rental statements. Johnston, who said he would appeal the bail conditions, said the bail was highest he'd ever encountered for this type of case.