Journalists freed after five days in police custody

Four journalists in Cameroon have been released after spending five days in police custody over missing eyeglasses belonging to Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey.

The journalists — François Essomba of Chine Afrique, Igor Gwet Bibey of Inform Plus, Solange Djuikam of Univers Info Net and Pierre Mouchili of Le Procès International — were arrested on September 16 while covering an Islamic Development Bank event at the Yaoundé Conference Centre.

Reports say the journalists were questioned after the minister’s eyeglasses went missing during the event.

The glasses were reportedly found the following day inside the minister’s vehicle.

However, the four journalists remained in custody until Monday, September 21, when they were released without charges.

Authorities were also reportedly investigating allegations that the journalists had entered a closed-door meeting without permission.

Their detention has attracted criticism from journalists’ unions and press freedom groups, which have questioned why the journalists remained in custody after the glasses were found.

There have also been reports that the minister himself did not make a complaint to police over the missing glasses.

The four journalists have now been released, with no charges announced against them.