Police in Kenema, east of the country, have denied claims by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, SLAJ, after it raised concerns about an alleged physical assault of journalist Munya Bawoh of All Out Radio 90.1FM by police officers in Kenema on Friday 7th June 2024.
In a press release dated 10 June 2024, the association said its secretariat in the east had followed up on the matter and interviewed the divisional crime officer and support officer regarding the alleged assault and detention of Bawoh.
It also called on the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police to speedily investigate and bring to book the alleged perpetrators.
But the Police argued that their actions did not amount to any crime committed in their line of duty, because they had merely held the journalist in open detention after an argument between him and certain police officers.
SLAJ had dismissed the response of the police as baseless, insisting that an eyewitness had provided them with a contrasting account, revealing that Bawoh was severely beaten by specific police officers, including the Kenema divisional crime officer.
“This is an unfortunate incident in light of the MoU with the security sector. We urge the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police to ensure their personnel across the country are fully aware of their commitment to ensure the safety and security of journalists in the line of duty.
“We believe the police will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and ensure the alleged perpetrators are accountable for their actions,” said SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
Meanwhile, the Kenema police had released Munya Bawoh to the Executive of SLAJ in the region and handed over his mobile phone.
