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Mauritania postpones editor's slander hearing

NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA Aug 28 2007 09:15

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A hearing in the trial of a Mauritanian editor of independent daily El Bedil Athalith, charged with slandering the first lady, was on Monday postponed indefinitely.

The court on Wednesday postponed proceedings in the case of Sidi Mohamed Ould Ebbe, who is accused of slandering Khatou Mint El Boukhari, wife of new President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.

The Arabic newspaper alleged in articles that the first lady had abused her position as wife of the head of state to raise funds for a charity organisation she headed.

His lawyers asked the court to defer the trial to allow the press and audiovisual watchdog to "use its good offices between the two parties".

The body is trying to mediate between the first lady and the journalist.

The paper has published an apology to Boukhari.

"We realised that our information was relative and inaccurate. We ask for forgiveness from the first lady for any moral or material prejudice these articles may have caused," said the paper in a note signed by the editor.

Mauritania last year adopted new reforms easing restrictions on the media and penalties for journalism-related offences.

Abdallahi was voted in office in March to finalise a 19-month democratic transition effected in the junta in this Islamic republic situated in north-west Africa, to become the first democratically elected leader in this former French colony since independence in 1960. -- Sapa-AFP

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