S. Sudanese security operatives interrogate newspaper editor

October, 17, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese National Security Service (NSS) operatives summoned and interrogated on Friday Michael Wazir, the chief editor of the Arabic Alrai newspaper in the country’s capital, Juba before his eventual release.

According to media reports, NSS officers got Wazir at around 10:00AM [local time], confiscated his journalistic identity card and ordered him to report to security offices.

Wazir, however, said he had to comply with the directive and reported to NSS offices.

“They were trying to detain me, in front of my house, confiscated my ID and ordered me to report immediately to their office”, Wazir was quoted saying.

During interrogation, the editor reportedly faced direct threats from a security officer.

It was, however, not the first time the editor was summoned and interrogated by NSS officers. In August, Wazi was summoned by security officers before the closure of the Arabic daily newspaper.

In February this year, Reporters without Borders ranked the world’s youngest nation 125th out of 180 countries, sliding by 6 places from the previous year in the press freedom index.

(ST)