Niger: The Public Prosecutor orders the opening of an investigation into the biased statements of the France 24 journalist, Wassim Nasr

The Public Prosecutor of the Specialized Judicial Unit for the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, during a press briefing held at his office on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, ordered the opening of an investigation into the biased statements of France24 journalist Wassim Nasr.In a statement made to the press by Mrs Hadiza Manzo, his deputy, the public prosecutor noted that he had been given the opportunity to "note that for some time, a journalist from the French channel France 24, named Wassim NASR, has been making biased comments the day after each terrorist attack committed against the States of the Confederation of Sahel States".The office of the public prosecutor specifies that "the most recent dates back to September 17, 2024 when, following the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Bamako, he clearly indicated that he was in contact with the attackers who communicated to him in real time the objectives of their attacks, their positions in real time, the different targets aimed a t or reached and the resulting human and material toll""The combined analysis of Wassim NASR's various interventions on the various media where he appears reveals positions and comments that amount to acts of publicity and flagrant support for terrorists and the actions of armed terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and these acts are criminally analyzed as being able to constitute offenses under criminal law, in particular those of criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise, apology for terrorism and complicity in acts of terrorism" said Ms. Manzo Hadiza.Consequently, the Public Prosecutor of the Specialized Judicial Unit for the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime ordered "the opening of an investigation against Wassim Nasr and all other perpetrators, co-perpetrators and accomplices of the charges of criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise, apology for terrorism and complicity in acts of terrorism specified above, so that they answer for their actions before the courts."Furthermore, the Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Specialized Judicial Unit for the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, salutes "the professionalism and bravery of the Defense and Security Forces of the Confederation of Sahel States" while reassuring the public that a "diligent investigation will be conducted to shed full light on these serious facts and put their perpetrators, sponsors and accomplices out of harm's way."Source: Burkina Information Agency