NGO says journalists arrested for corruption may have been the target of “staging”

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NGO says journalists arrested for corruption may have been the target of “staging”

2:24 CAT | 11 Jun 2020

Photo: O País

The Southern African Institute of Social Communication (MISA-Mozambique) said yesterday that the two journalists detained in Sofala on Monday on charges of passive corruption may have been the target of “manipulation and staging”

“There is strong evidence of manipulation, staging, abuse of state power to achieve private goals,” a press release from MISA-Mozambique distributed yesterday reads.

At stake is the arrest of Arsénio Sebastião, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW), and Jorge Malangaze, a freelancer, accused by the Anti-Corruption Office of having received bribes for not publishing a story related to the violation of state rules emergency at a hotel in Sofala, central Mozambique.

The two reporters allegedly photographed and filmed the establishment “overcrowded and with people drinking alcohol at night”, violating the rules of the state of emergency, and, according to the Office for Combating Corruption in Sofala, blackmailed the owner, Frelimo deputy Manuel Ramissane who was allegedly instructed by the authorities to pretend to bribe the two to suppress the material.

The journalists reportedly received 5,000 meticais (€63) and were detained in flagrante delicto for passive corruption, the authorities say.

MISA-Mozambique says, if the journalists are accused of as passive corruption, then there must be prior “active corruptor”, and the owner of the establishment should have been arrested.

“In logic and in normal processes, there cannot be a passive corrupt without the active [corruption], and Mr Ramissone should have been apprehended at the same time as participant in the same crime,” the press release reads, adding that there was no clear evidence that journalists had asked for a bribe before the day of their arrest.

“MISA believes that the detention of journalists has other motives, which should be investigated. For the sake of truth and transparency, the Public Prosecutor’s Office should open an internal investigation to ascertain the genuineness of this case,” the organisation adds, calling for “quick action for clarification and the presentation of material evidence against journalists”.

Speaking to the media from the police station where he is being held, the DW correspondent said that it was the owner of the establishment who took the initiative, and said he was the target of an “ambush”.

“He put his hand in his pocket and gave us the amount not to publish the information. We accepted thinking, that it was the ‘Nelinho’ from before and suddenly, on the way out, 12 agents appeared,” said the journalist, claiming to know the owner of the establishment.

Mozambique has been in a state of emergency since April 1st, with amusement and leisure facilities closed, all types of events and meetings prohibited, and the public recommended to stay at home unless they have compelling reasons to go out, such as work or essential errands.

Capacity on public transport is limited and the use of masks mandatory. Schools are closed and the issuing of entry visas has been suspended.

The country has 472 cases of Covid-19, with two deaths and 138 patients recovered, according to the latest updates.

Source: Lusa