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Sudan frees US journalist
09/09/2006 11:29 - (SA)
Khartoum - Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek has been released from Sudanese custody after a meeting between President Omar al-Beshir and visiting New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Beshir's spokesperson said on Friday.
The Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent, who was on assignment for National Geographic in the war-torn Darfur region when he was detained and charged with espionage, was freed along with his two Chadian assistants, presidential press secretary Mahjoub Fadul Badry told AFP.
"The American journalist and the two Chadians have been released," he said.
Beshir had promised a review of Salopek's case during a visit by Washington's top African envoy - Jendayi Frazer, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs - last month.
National Geographic editor-in-chief Chris Johns issued a statement saying the monthly magazine was "overjoyed" at the release of Salopek and his assistants after their month-long detention.
"We are incredibly grateful to the wide circle of individuals and organisations that helped in the effort to secure Paul's release," Johns said.
Salopek had been charged with criminal espionage, reporting false information and entering Sudan without a visa at a hearing in Darfur's main town of El-Fasher.
But National Geographic contested the accusations throughout.
"National Geographic magazine vigorously protests this accusation and appeals to Sudan for his immediate release and the release of two Chadians assisting him," the magazine said last month.
Salopek "had no agenda other than to fairly and accurately report on the region," said its editor-in-chief, Chris Johns.
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