Cameroonian-American writer detained as he tried to leave the Central
African nation is facing
charges over writings critical of its
government, and family and friends are calling for public support in a
campaign for his release.
Patrice Nganang, a professor at New
York's Stony Brook University, is due to go before a prosecutor in the
coming week, according to an account from his wife that was sent to
fellow Stony Brook professor Robert Harvey. Nganang was detained on
Thursday as he was trying to leave Cameroon to join his wife in
Zimbabwe.
Nganang and his attorney were informed of the charges
against him at a hearing with judiciary police and were told the charges
include accusations of insulting Cameroon President Paul Biya and
issuing a death threat.
Nganang has been critical of how Biya, in
power since 1982, has handled a secessionist movement in some
English-speaking areas. He wrote an article that was published shortly
before he was detained.
At
the judiciary police hearing Saturday, Nganang's lawyer said he didn't
represent a threat because he had never worked with any violent or armed
groups and had always been a peaceful activist. A prosecutor will
decide what happens with the case moving forward.
Nganang's
supporters called for an outpouring of support for him, suggesting
actions including calling the Cameroon embassy to demand his release;
getting in touch with the U.S. Department of State and federal elected
officials; reaching out to advocates like Amnesty International or the
Committee to Protect Journalists; and spreading the campaign through
social media.
Source: chicagotribune.com
