Journalist Alleged To Be BH’s Propagandist Arrested

The Niger military has arrested a journalist and rights activist, Moussa Tchangari alleged to be Boko Haram’s propagandist.

Speaking with AFP, the Niger interior minister said Tchangari was arrested for “collaborating” with Boko Haram islamists.

He said: “This man has been collaborating with Boko Haram for some time, and he is actively spreading propaganda and false news in liaison with Boko Haram.

“All his propaganda aims to show that Niger’s defence and security forces are the criminals… (and) not Boko Haram.”

Niger cannot “tolerate such an active collaboration with terrorists”, or such “systematic spreading of false news”, he added.

Tchangari was arrested on Monday and charged with “criminal links to the terrorist group Boko Haram”, he said.

According to reports, Tchangari’s outspoken criticism is said have infuriated the Niger military in the past as his organization “Alternative Espace Citoyen” has been critical of the humanitarian crisis in southeastern Niger, where the army is fighting Boko Haram.

It was gathered that earlier this month, his organization published a report that criticized the Niger authorities after the evacuation of some 25,000 Lake Chad residents over fears of new Islamist attacks, following a deadly assault in late April.

According to Tchangari, thousands of men, women, children and elderly Lake Chad residents “walked for more than 50 kilometres (30 miles)” until they reached safety.

However, reacting to this development, the Amnesty International has called on Niger to free Tchangari immediately, saying that the Niger government is trying to choke freedom of speech by arresting the journalist.

AI said: “The fight against Boko Haram must not serve as a pretext to violate free speech.”