Police on Monday arrested The Fatu Network cameraman Ebrima Jammeh as he filmed dramatic scenes of police barring Global HOMM officials from entering their property at Bijilo.
Police blocked Global HOMM officials as they tried to deliver cement at a property the state has interest in to build a hotel for the OIC. The Fatu Network’s Ebrima Jammeh was arrested while filming the incident.
Jammeh explained that he was arrested and taken to Senegambia Police Station along with three Global HOMM officials.
“When we arrived, one of the officers who has D.O written on his arm said ‘f***** bring them down’,” Jammeh explained.
They were later transferred to Kairaba Police Station were Jammeh spent more than two hours.
The Station Officer of Kairaba Police Station Kawsu Ceesay asked his officers to release Jammeh after consulting the Commissioner of Police for Kanifing.
The Fatu Network’s editor-in-chief Lamin Njie met with SO Ceesay over the issue.
Editor Njie said: “He did not do anything wrong. In fact Ebrima was filming from the road which is a public space when he got arrested.
“I was at the police station for almost two hours and the SO told me he doesn’t even know why Ebrima was at his station. After Ebrima and I met him and explained everything to him, he went to the commissioner and later returned to say Ebrima has not done anything wrong. That he was there to do his job.
“I have viewed the video Ebrima took while his arrest unfolded and it’s unfortunate how the police behaved. One of them is seen grabbing his camera even as Ebrima tells him he should not do that.
“We condemn the action of the police and call on the state to ensure security officers respect the law regarding media freedom. I have also discussed the issue with the president of the Gambia Press Union Sheriff Bojang Jnr.”
