Police have charged human rights activist Madi Jobarteh with “false publication and broadcasting” over comments he made at a Black Lives Matter protest last week. 

Mr Jobarteh was called in for questioning yesterday at Kairaba Police Station where he was arrested, charged and granted bail.

He was accused of making a “false statement” over the unresolved murder cases of Haruna Jatta, Ousman Darboe and Kebba Secka. 

Mr Jobarteh said he was questioned at deputy Commissioner Pateh Bah’s office. He said in a Facebook post after his release:

“He (deputy Commissioner Bah) thought that (my comment) was unfair to the police because I did not know what was going on in the background. 

“I then asked him if he was really serious to call me to his office only to question my opinion. He said yes. I told him this is my opinion and if the Government disagrees they can refute it publicly. 

“But I asked him to tell me which court or which suspect is standing trial for the murder of Haruna Jatta and Ousman Darboe? 

“I asked him it is one year now since Kebba Secka was killed yet until now the case is not concluded. Why?

“I told him that I consider this invitation as an assault on my fundamental constitutional right to freedom of expression and to hold the State accountable. 

“I told him that by calling me to his office and questioning my opinion indicates that he is abusing his powers intended to criminalize my opinion and to intimate and harass me. 

“I told him I am not that citizen to be intimidated.”

Mr Jobarteh was asked to report to Kairaba Police Station at 10am on Wednesday as part of his bail conditions.