Editors denounce police brutality against journalist in Mauritania

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) – A group of editors from the privately-owned media houses in Mauritania has protested against "police brutality" against their colleague, Dialtabé Samba Diop, who was invited for questioning Tuesday and later detained for three hours here, according to a statement from the group on Wednesday.

Diop, reporting for media house "Quotidien de Nouakchott", was covering a demonstration by students when he was arrested despite the presentation of his identity card to justify his presence in the place.

"As if that was not enough, Diop was kept in custody," the group lamented.

"The group deeply regrets this treatment that constitutes a violation of physical integrity and a serious breach of the exercise of the profession of journalist. We strongly protests against this worrying police behaviour. We demand the respect and protection of the journalists of the independent press," the statement quoted the group as saying.
-0- PANA SAS/TBM/IBA/MTD/VAO 15Feb2012