Sudanese authorities expel Tunisian journalist

March 1, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese authorities today evening expelled a Tunisian journalist who had been detained since Friday over charges of violating immigration rules.

Zuhir Latif, who works for France 24’s Arabic-language service and the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, Zuhair Latif was arrested by the Sudanese security services in his house after confiscating his computer hard drive, documents and tapes.

The Sudanese authorities said yesterday that Latif had violated immigration rules. Further they accused him of performing “activities not covered by his mandate” without details.

Latif had just spent 21 days in Darfur although the travel permits issued to the journalists by the authorities are usually for periods no longer than two weeks.

According to local sources, his arrest could be linked to this visit to Darfur and the fact that he also works for the World Food Programme, a UN agency. Also he filmed footage of deadly fighting between Sudanese army and rebel Justice and Equality Movement in Muhageriya, South Darfur.

Earlier last February a Canadian Egyptian journalist, Heba Aly had been expelled from the country for “practicing activities outside her assignment which harm Sudan National Security” the security service said.

(ST)