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<\/a><\/p>\n30 December 2011<\/p>\n
\nIvory Coast freed on bail ex-strongman Laurent Gbagbo’s personal physician Friday and two journalists detained during the country’s post-election unrest earlier this year, a judicial source said.<\/p>\n
“The release order has just been signed” for pro-Gbagbo journalists Hermann Aboa and Franck Anderson Kouassi, as well as for the doctor, Christophe Ble, the source told AFP.<\/p>\n
Kouassi was the head of the media regulatory body.<\/p>\n
Aboa hosted a show which, during the crisis that broke out after a disputed November 2010 election, aired virulent criticism of Gbagbo’s rival, the current President Alassane Ouattara.<\/p>\n
Gbagbo had refused to concede defeat, sparking a crisis that the UN says left 3,000 dead and ended when pro-Ouattara forces captured the incumbent president, with backing from the UN and France.<\/p>\n
As Ouattara was sworn in, Gbagbo and many of his closest aides were held in custody.<\/p>\n
He was eventually transferred to The Hague last month to become the first former head of state brought before the International Criminal Court.<\/p>\n
Gbagbo’s camp has accused Ouattara of meting out victor’s justice since taking power and has set the release of several prisoners as a condition to take part in reconciliation efforts.<\/p>\n
Herve Gouamene, a lawyer for some of the pro-Gbagbo figures still held, told AFP that Friday’s release orders were not enough.<\/p>\n
“We are happy for these three individuals but we expect more because we have made requests for 20 people to be released on bail,” he said.<\/p>\n
The 17 still in custody include Gbagbo’s wife Simone, former prime minister Gilbert Ake N’Gbo and several former ministers.<\/p>\n
Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which has called for Aboa to be freed since his arrest in July, also welcomed his release.<\/p>\n
“It was not normal to keep him locked up when the Ivory Coast press law” cannot be used against him, RSF said.<\/p>\n
Thanking those who supported him, Aboa said he was pleased to be “free at last” on leaving Abidjan prison. – ANP\/AFP<\/em><\/p>\nAllAfrica – All the Time<\/p>\n
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