Niger Journalist Arrested for Suspected Rebel Ties

Sat 22 Sep 2007, 10:34 GMT

NIAMEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - A local journalist in Niger working for French radio station RFI has been arrested on suspicion of having links to Tuareg-led rebels in the desert north, the state prosecutor said late on Friday.

Moussa Kaka, director of a private radio station and RFI's Niger correspondent, was accused of receiving gifts or direct payment for reports on the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), which has killed dozens of soldiers in a 7-month uprising.

"In view of the nature of his behaviour for some time, we can assert that he is, if not completely in the service of the MNJ, at least in connivance with this movement," state prosecutor Adama Harouna said in a statement.

"The links to the MNJ are patent and numerous."

Radio France International (RFI) confirmed on its Web site that Kaka was wanted for endangering state security and had been arrested at the offices of his private radio station late on Thursday, since when he had been held at a secret location

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