Benin: 12 months in prison required on appeal against journalist Ignace Sossou

Text by: RFI Follow

Last December, the journalist was sentenced at first instance to 18 months in prison for "harassment", following a complaint by the public prosecutor. Ignace Sossou had in fact reported what he said during a workshop. 

Publicity

With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

On Tuesday morning, the plaintiff's lawyers asked for confirmation of the first-instance sentence, those of Ignace Sossou asked for his release, however, and the public prosecutor ended his requisitions by asking for 12 months in prison.

Throughout the hearing, Ignace Sossou was subjected to muscular interrogation. "  The errors and vagaries of live tweets justify my presence here before you, but that does not make me guilty of cyber-harassment,  " the journalist said in conclusion.

The offense is not made out, according to his lawyers. For them, there are no legal, material or even intentional elements. In closing his argument, veteran Robert Dossou launched: “  Mr. President, I beg you, restore the coat of arms of Benin and acquit Ignace Sossou.  "

Opposite, the lawyers for the civil party asked to confirm the conviction of 18 months in prison. "  There is a fault, we must assume. Ignace Sossou is not a super man,  ”said Maître Elie Vlavonou. "  The offense holds up  ," pleaded the attorney general who asked to reduce the sentence and to condemn Ignace Sossou to twelve months in prison and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.

The judgment was reserved for May 19.

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