Liberia Frees 4 Journalists, Drops Charges

MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s government freed four journalists Friday who had been detained for more than a month. Espionage charges against them were dropped.

Local and international human rights groups had campaigned for the release of the four journalists, who were detained Feb. 21 after their paper, the News, reported about government spending on helicopter spare parts.

“Predicated upon the appeal of the administration of the Press Union of Liberia in addition to the apology extended by the journalists themselves, the government hereby drops all charges against the defendants,” a government statement said.

The writ of arrest accused the four of intending to reveal defense information to foreign powers that could aid them in event of a conflict involving the West African country.

The arrests came as President Charles Taylor’s government accused neighboring Guinea of backing dissidents fighting in northern Liberia. Guinea in turn said Liberia supports armed groups blamed for hundreds of killings.

The report in the News said the government had spent $50,000 on spare parts and fuel for a helicopter. It did not say what the helicopter, belonging to a private company, was used for.