Emmanuel Christian Thorli, proprietor and managing editor of the Night Watch newspaper, was reportedly arrested on Friday night in connection with a recent publication.

Sources close to the matter claim the arrest stems from an article published on February 21st titled “We cannot Wait For Bio to Continue in Power until 2028 – Sierra Leoneans.”

Neither the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) nor the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) are yet to comment on the matter as at press time.

 

Thorli isn’t new to controversy. He has faced previous arrests for his writings yet remains committed to tackling issues crucial to Sierra Leoneans.

His detention reignites concerns about freedom of speech, despite the abolishment of the criminal libel law.