Commission for the Protection of Journalists: Sudanese Military Arrests Journalists

The Commission for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) said Sudanese military authorities Tuesday (26/10) arrested journalist Maher Abugoukh. The manager on Sudanese state television was arrested at his home in Khartoum.

The military seized power in a coup last Monday.

In a press release, CPJ said the reason for the arrest had not been disclosed and Abugoukh’s whereabouts were unknown.

Abugoukh was critical of the military on live radio and television, the New York-based media rights organization said.

“Sudan authorities must immediately release Maher Abugoukh,” CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said in a statement.

“Sudan journalists should be free to cover the coup without fear of reprisals and arrest and have unrestricted access to telecommunications services.”

Abugoukh’s arrest comes amid several recent attacks on journalists in Sudan. [ka/jm]