Military junta accuse the journalist of providing intelligence to a foreign power and of cybercrimes 

Location: Niger, Niamey
Date: October 11, 2023

Renowned journalist Samira Sabou has been released on bail after being charged with treason and cybercrimes. The military junta, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused the reporter of providing intelligence to a foreign power. This blatant attempt by the new military leadership to silence a prominent critic is deeply concerning. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the persecution of critical press in Niger and demands all charges against Sabou are dropped immediately.

On October 11, Samira Sabou, who was held in detention for 11 days, was provisionally released on bail by a magistrate court in Niamey. She has become a target of the new military regime that came into power through a coup in July 2023.

The charges against Sabou include maintaining "intelligence with a foreign power," a treasonous offense that carries the death penalty. She is also accused of spreading information likely to disturb public order, which can result in up to three years of imprisonment and a hefty fine. Before her release, Sabou's phone was confiscated by the police, and she was ordered to provide one week's notice if she intends to travel. 

The charges against the journalist are based on alleged communication with foreign diplomats, her use of the Flightradar24 app, and a Facebook post in which she reported on a document concerning Niger's military personnel assignments.

Authorities in Niamey took Sabou into custody on September 30, 2023. According to her husband, Abdoul Kader Nouhou, four unidentified people wearing plain clothes arrived at their home, covered Sabou's head with a hood, and transported her in an unmarked vehicle. 

After being held incommunicado for eight days at Niger's external security services premises, Sabou's location was finally revealed on October 9, 2023.

Sabou is a respected journalist known for her fearless exposés on corruption within previous governments in Niger. Throughout her career, she has faced arrests and legal harassment, yet she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of justice and her condemnation of corruption.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply disturbed by the treatment of Sabou. Unidentified individuals took her forcibly from her home, and she went unheard for over a week. Now, she faces serious charges, one of which carries the death penalty. This case sends a chilling message to journalists in Niger who dare to challenge the new leadership. We urgently call on the authorities to drop all charges against Sabou and end their harassment of journalists.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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