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CPJ calls on Mauritania government to release blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed

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H.E. Mohamedoun Daddah
Head of Mission
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
2129 Leroy Place NW
Washington, DC 20008

CPJ calls on Mauritania government to release blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed 1

Dear Mr. Daddah,

I write to you from the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent employer that monitors and advocates for press freedom international, to request a assembly with you and other senior individuals of your authorities regarding the wrongful imprisonment of blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed, who remains in prison even though he was scheduled to be launched.

A Mauritanian courtroom sentenced Mohamed to death in December 2014 on apostasy-associated prices after he posted an article criticizing the Mauritanian caste system. After the blogger repented, an appeals courtroom in November 2017 decreased Mohamed’s death sentence to two years in prison and ordered him to pay a excellent of 60,000 Mauritanian ouguiyas ($172). Having spent more than three years in jail at the time of this verdict, Mohamed was scheduled to be launched. Yet, he remains in government custody.

In December 2017, CPJ, along with side other non-governmental businesses, sent a letter to Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz calling at the government to immediately release Mohamed, who’s also acknowledged by using the name of Mohamed Cheikh Ould M’khaitir, and take steps to assure his safety upon launch.

CPJ is, therefore, deeply bothered by President Abdel Aziz’s recent response to the blogger’s detention. In December 2018, the president told French every day Le Monde, “He [Mohamed] has been tried, and he ought to typically be launched. But a big majority of the populace opposes it. His launch may pose issues of security to our united states. For this purpose, we’re maintaining him until we find a answer.”

Mohamed’s prolonged detention is taking a severe toll on his health. His sister informed CPJ that the blogger suffers from physical illnesses, including acute ache in his head and frame, similar to psychological trauma. A physician noticed Mohamed, and, notwithstanding his professional recommendation for hospital treatment, Mauritanian authorities still have not granted Mohamed access to remedy, in step with his sister.

We wish to work with you to ease Mohamed’s deserved release and to make sure his protection after his launch. Swift movement would make contributions to developing an surroundings conducive to freedom of the press in Mauritania. We are to be had to meet you or a consultant of your authorities at your convenience to complex on our issues and tips. We look ahead to your reaction.

Thank you.