Cablegate: Amcit Journalist Released by Nigerian Government

VZCZCXRO3846
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0851 1701845
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191845Z JUN 06
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7385
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7403
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LAGOS 000851

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY
SIPDIS

STATE PASS DOE FOR GPERSON AND CGAY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC EPET ASEC PHUM NI
SUBJECT: AMCIT JOURNALIST RELEASED BY NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

1. (SBU) Freelance AMCIT photojournalist Edmond Kashi, in
Nigeria on assignment for National Geographic, was released
today after being detained by the GON for five days. Both
the CG and Deputy Consul spoke with him by phone and verified
he is well. Kashi is currently in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State, and will return to the U.S. via Lagos and Milan on
June 25. ACS Officers also spoke with Kashi's spouse and
emergency contact Julie Winokur during his detention. She
has been informed of his release.

2. (SBU) On June 16, Mission learned of Kashi's detention
when National Geographic staffer Kurt Mulcher contacted
Charge D'Affaires. Initially, Kashi was detained by Naval
personnel. Navy sources claimed he was detained for
photographing oil installations in Bayelsa State without
having first obtained the proper authorization. The Navy
turned Kashi over to the State Security Service (SSS) on June
18. Efforts in recent days to verify his detention and
location resulted in often incomplete and conflicting
information. Post continued to convey our concern through
the Bayelsa and Rivers States Governors, police, NGO, and
industry contacts. Kashi says the SSS generally treated him
well during his detention, but he was anxious regarding his
release.

3. (SBU) NGO activists Oronto Douglas and Von Kemedi played
active roles in securing Kashi's release, and the two
activists were the first people to see him upon his release.
They are currently with him in Port Harcourt.

BROWNE

© Scoop Media