The Chadian press community has hailed the recent release of journalist Monodji Mbaindiguim Olivier and four others as a pivotal moment for press freedom in the country, describing it as a “triumph of law over arbitrariness.”
Olivier, publishing director of the newspaper Le Pays, along with three media colleagues and a business operator, was acquitted on July 8 by a Chadian court after spending over four months in detention.
The group had been arrested on March 5, 2025, on charges of “intelligence with agents of a foreign power” and detained at the Klessoum remand center.
The court ruled in their favor on the grounds of insufficient evidence, granting them acquittal on the benefit of the doubt.
Reacting to the verdict, the Chadian Press Employers’ Association (PPT) issued a strong statement of support, emphasizing that the decision reinforces confidence in judicial institutions and democratic principles.
“The release of DP Monodji Mbaindiguim Olivier and media collaborators after their trial marks a crucial step for the respect of fundamental rights and freedom of the press in Chad,” declared PPT President Allahondoum Juda.
Juda added that the ruling sends a “strong signal” about the importance of upholding the legal protections afforded to journalists, warning against the use of the penal code to target media professionals operating within the bounds of their profession.
The PPT urged authorities to adhere to the regulatory framework governing journalism, rather than treating press-related offenses as criminal acts.
The association also extended its gratitude to journalists, media organizations, human rights defenders, and civil society actors whose advocacy and solidarity were instrumental in securing the group’s release.
“Their constant mobilization has played a decisive role in ensuring that the truth triumphs and our colleagues regain their freedom,” the statement read.
The case had sparked widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally, with press freedom advocates warning that the charges posed a grave threat to journalistic independence in Chad.
The acquittal is now seen as a rare and significant win for media rights in a region where freedom of expression is often under pressure.
As the dust settles, many are calling on Chadian authorities to use this moment as a turning point—one that affirms a commitment to rule of law, accountability, and the safeguarding of a free and independent press.
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