State Of Suspicion: Niger Military Court Detains Journalists In Alleged Coup Conspiracy

The journalists were part of a group of three reporters arrested in early May in the city of Agadez, central Niger, after the station broadcast reports claiming that Niger had ended its security cooperation with Russia—an important ally of the country’s ruling military junta.

According to Air Info, which owns Sahara FM, the two journalists were transferred to Kollo Prison, roughly 50 kilometers south of the capital, Niamey, following a ruling by a military court judge on Friday. The third journalist was granted bail.

The media outlet reported that the detained journalists are facing serious charges, including “undermining national defense” and “plotting against state authority.”

Since the military seized power in a 2023 coup, Niger has come under increasing criticism from human rights organizations and press freedom advocates over its crackdown on journalists and restrictions on free expression.