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Civil Society Activist, Daniel Pewah has supported the actions of the Sierra Leone Police against Dutch journalist, Sophie van Leeuwen.
van Leeuwen was detained by the Sierra Leone Police on charges of espionage and related offenses, raising questions about the growing relationship between Sierra Leone and The Netherlands.
This incident came shortly after another Dutch cocaine baron, Jos Leijdekkers was spotted in Sierra Leone, leading to speculation among citizens regarding the nature of their activities.
Pewah addressed these concerns, emphasising that the police acted professionally in their response to the situation. “If the security force or apparatus becomes apprehensive about a person’s activities, they have the right to question them,” he said in a TV interview.
Amid persistent worries from Sierra Leoneans about the Dutch journalist’s motives, he reassured the public that the initial investigation concluded that her activities were not criminal or clandestine in nature.
Some locals remain doubtful of police’s motive after it was revealed on Saturday that although the Dutch journalist was released after questioning, some of her gadgets were reportedly seized by the police as they gather evidence.
Sources revealed also that the police have impounded a vehicle belonging to van Leeuwen’s fixer, a local journalist at the CID headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown.
Meanwhile, Sylvia Blyden has defended van Leeuwen silencing some people having doubts about her credentials. The critical journalist also shared screenshot of a text between her and van Leeuwen indicating the Dutch journalist’s purpose of visiting Sierra Leone.
The entire situation remains unclear but rights groups have called on authorities to protect journalists and freedom of the press.
GREAT
SAD
GREAT
SAD
ASF
Mr pewah we know your angel.political journalist
They have done all this to a journalist, but I guess the police have no concern about an international drug baron fugitive who has ordered people killed, since he has not been invited to CID. How exactly did they come up with charges of espionage, and who exactly were the many Sierra Leoneans exactly, who where worried about her motives, since 99.999999% of us were not even aware she was in town. IG Sellu does not seem like a smart man.
Rubbish. Can I, a Sierra Leonean Journalist board a flight, arrive in Amsterdam and conduct journalistic work without recourse to the laws of that country? It will not happen. But some of our compatriots are so insecure with themselves they fawn at the presence of an blanco even when she clearly violates the nation’s laws. Sad!
I don’t think that you are a sierra leonian accding to the stupidity you posted in this platform
Pewa was disgusting to watch and listen to, USEFUL IDIOT!