November 4
Ben Ossete Obelas, Le Choc, IMPRISONED, LEGAL ACTION
Obelas, director of the independent biweekly Le Choc, was sentenced to eight months in prison for “spreading false news and defamation,” fined 250,000 CFA (US$500), and ordered to pay 2 million CFA (US$3,887) in damages to William Desire Dibas, head of the National Social Security Office (CNSS). Obelas was arrested in connection with an article in the Oct. 1-15 edition of Le Choc, accusing CNSS management of embezzlement. Four months of the prison sentence were subsequently suspended, and Obelas is serving the remainder at the central prison in Brazzaville. CPJ wrote a letter to President Pascal Lissouba urging him to do everything in his power to secure Obelas’ immediate and unconditional release.

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