By RFIPublished 08-01-2020Modified 08-01-2020 at 15:32

CFI, the French media development agency, calls this Wednesday morning for the release "as soon as possible" of Ignace Sossou. This Beninese journalist was sentenced on December 24 to 18 months in prison for controversial posts on social networks.

On December 19, following a forum on fake news organized by CFI in Cotonou, Ignace Sossou had relayed on his Facebook and Twitter pages remarks attributed to the public prosecutor of Benin. The latter then filed a complaint, considering these comments taken out of context. CFI, belonging to the same group as RFI, has since been singled out after sending a charge letter against Ignace Sossou to the Beninese Ministry of Justice.

CFI "is indignant at having been exploited "

Following the conviction, on December 24, of Ignace Sossou to 18 months in prison, Internet Sans Frontières denounced on Monday January 6 the agency's responsibility in the journalist's imprisonment. This Wednesday morning, in a press release, the CFI agency calls for the release " as soon as possible " of Ignace Sossou, " apologizes for the unfolding of the events of which he was the victim and is indignant at having been exploited ". CFI also admits that the posts of Ignace Sossou were not defamatory, even though the latter was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Alan Dréanic, CFI's deputy director general, joined by RFI, denounces the journalist's arrest: “ Obviously, like the entire media community, we join everyone in denouncing this arrest. We don't go to jail for a tweet and therefore we strongly call for the release of Ignace Soussou. Whatever we can do to contribute to it, we will do it ”.

Mr. Dréanic goes on to recognize CFI's “ error ”: “ It is a communication error. In the rush, a poorly controlled communication. We can even speak of an error of assessment, of judgment. Clearly, we are facing an internal dysfunction from which we will learn lessons. It was unthinkable to send such mail . ”

► Also read: Benin: an investigative journalist sentenced to 18 months in prison

CFI Développement Médias press release requesting the release of journalist Ignace Sossou. © CFI

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