Al-Jazeera correspondent in Sudan to appear before court today

KHARTOUM, Feb 28, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — Al-Jazeera TV correspondent in Sudan Islam Salih Belo will appear before the Criminal Court in Khartoum today following charges brought against him by the Sudanese National Security Authority related to tarnishing the state’s reputation and disseminating false news.

The Al-Jazeera channel, through its Khartoum office and its correspondent, Belo, took to preparing and transmitting a number of programmes and materials stuffed with false information and poor, biased analyses and with pictures and scenes selected to serve its ends,” the National Security Authority statement said.

The Sudanese customs authorities confiscated transmission equipment and three cameras on the pretext that the office failed to obtain the necessary licenses.

The Security Authority said that for reasons of national security and interests, it had decided to close the bureau.

It indicated the bureau “will be reopened only after the channel’s headquarters takes steps for correcting the mistakes, redressing the shortcomings and appointing to the office responsible persons who can discharge the message of the channel in a neutral and professional manner.”