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Dutch journalist Sophie van Leeuwen has left Sierra Leone after being detained and interrogated by police.
She was escorted to Freetown International Airport last evening by her lawyer, Charles Abass Bangura. Before her departure, van Leeuwen spoke briefly via WhatsApp video call with Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), who confirmed the association’s priority was her safety and freedom.
Van Leeuwen’s belongings, including her passport, mobile phone, and camera, were returned to her through her lawyers, Edrina Chambers, in the presence of Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education. However, police are still withholding her SD card, citing “security reasons.” The Minister reiterated that van Leeuwen is welcome to return to Sierra Leone at any time, adding that the police were simply carrying out their duties.
According to ACP Allieu Jalloh, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), police found “a lot of inconsistencies and deception” in van Leeuwen’s statement. He added that her release was a government decision.
Van Leeuwen and a local journalist, Joseph Turay, were initially detained at a checkpoint near Freetown. Police questioned her at her accommodation on suspicion of espionage and conducting journalistic work without proper accreditation.
Despite claims that van Leeuwen possessed accreditation from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), and had even participated in a recent press briefing, authorities continued their investigation.
Van Leeuwen’s reporting in Sierra Leone focuses on the alleged presence of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos.” Police stated the arrest stemmed from “the unlawful capture” of images.
RTL, van Leeuwen’s employer, maintains that she possesses the necessary documentation. “Van Leeuwen is accredited and makes stories for RTL News with the permission of the local authority,” the broadcaster stated. RTL’s editor-in-chief, Ilse OpenNeer, has announced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Was she asked to leave the country? Curious minds want to know.. SLP/SLG, you have been exposed…
This country en you should talk and not do a findings on any thing well every thing is for security reasons just hoping for judgement day but Sierra Leone
IG Sellu can kiss cocaine dealer Maada Bio’s fat behind all he wants, but he will soon be sacked by the same Maada Bio. The IG, the Information Minister and whomever wants to take front and center to lie for these cocaine dealers should understand they God don comot beyen dem and the truth is out. They can not lie about this and sweep it under the rug. They need to think about their reputations and act accordingly
is the worst country in West Africa where the Lebanese have control and the drug cartels are the laws there