The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined calls for an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, and alleged torture of Modern Ghana journalists.
The Federation in a statement said the allegations needed to be taken seriously.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has backed its affiliate, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in calling for an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, and alleged torture of journalists Emmanuel Ajafor Abugri and Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum.
In the statement, the IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, is quoted as saying: “the arbitrary arrest and torture of journalists for doing their job are very serious allegations. We urge the authorities to immediately conduct a thorough investigation. We stand in solidarity with our two colleagues”.
Emmanuel Ajarfor was detained alongside a fellow journalist, Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum two weeks ago.
Mr. Ajarfor made the allegations after his release from custody after two days but his colleague’s lawyers have denied claims that their client was also tortured.
Mr. Ajarfor also said his digital privacy violated while in National Security custody.
The National Security Council Secretariat has denied the torture claims.
There are suggestions that the arrest of the two journalists was tied to the publication of an article that criticised the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah.
But the two were initially charged with conspiracy to steal, stealing and unauthorized access to electronic information after claims they hacked some other media houses.
Although they were put in court, the charges were subsequently withdrawn by the prosecution to allow for further investigations.
Mr. Ajarfor’s lawyer, Samson Lardi Ayenini indicated a civil suit will be filed against the state over the matter.