Malian journalist Boukari Daou released from jail

Bamako, Mali (PANA) – A high court in Bamako on Tuesday annulled the proceedings of the prosecution against the chief editor of the newspaper, Le Républicain, Boukari Daou, thus releasing him from jail.

The journalist was arrested and detained on 6 March.

The lawyers of the journalists on 16 April raised objections to his arrest on technical grounds.

"When there is no summons in the dossier, the proceedings are null and void in accordance with the press law," the defence lawyers said.

Mr Daou was arrested for publishing an "open letter" to the president entitled “Soldiers at the front outraged by the advantages given to Captain Sanogo”, the brain behind the 22 March, 2012 coup , which overthrew president Amadou Toumani Touré.

The coup opened the way for Islamists to seize large portions of the north which were not liberated until early this year when France intervened.
-0- PANA GT/AAS/IBA/MSA/MA 30April2013