Latest Global Witness Press Release (20 February 2007) on arrest of Dr. Sarah Wykes in Cabinda, Angola: http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/511/en/angola_anti_corruption_campaigner_remains_incarcer <http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/511/en/angola_anti_corruption_campaigner_remains_incarcer>
Angola: Anti-corruption campaigner remains incarcerated in Cabinda, Angola Published 20/02/2007 Global Witness employee Dr Sarah Wykes spent her second night in jail in Cabinda yesterday and remains in prison as of this afternoon. She is comfortable and has been provided with supplies by her civil society colleagues. She has also met with the UK consul. Charges against her remain unclear but seem to centre on an allegation of violating national security: this covers a very broad and inspecific set of issues under Angolan law. Global Witness believes these charges are baseless and that she should be immediately and unconditionally released. She was due to be offered bail of c. US$2000 on Monday but the interim Attorney General in Cabinda has not yet signed the papers for her release. The bail conditions also remain unclear. Her court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday - today is a public holiday in Angola - though Global Witness is working to to get the interim Attorney General to sign the release papers today. Dr Wykes originally travelled to Angola to speak to civil society, companies and the government to assess progress made on improving the transparency of the money from the Angola's oil sector, which constitutes the majority of the government's budget. YOU CAN HELP BY MAKING REPRESENTATIONS IN WRITING TO THE ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES IN YOUR COUNTRY (i.e. Ambassador in local Angolan Embassy) BY CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF SARAH WYKES. ALL CHARGES AGAINST HER SHOULD BE DROPPED. APPEALS CAN ALSO BE FAXED TO THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN ANGOLA: Provincial Procurator General of Cabinda Exmo. Sr. Pascoal Joaquim Fax: +244 231 222415 Salutation: Excelencia Procurator General of the Republic Exmo. Sr. Dr. Augusto da Costa Carneiro Procurador Geral da Republica Procuradoria Geral da Republica Rua 17 Setembro Luanda, Republica de Angola Fax: + 244 222 333 170/172 Salutation: Excelencia Minister of the Interior Sua Excelencia General Roberto Leal Monteiro Ministro do Interior Ministerio do Interior Avenida 4 Fevereiro No. 106 Luanda, Republica de Angola Fax: +244 222 395133 Salutation: Excelencia COPIES TO: Minister of Justice Sua Excelencia Manuel Aragao Ministro da Justica Ministerio da Justica Rua 17 Setembro, Luanda, Republica de Angola Fax: +244 222 330 327 / 222 33 81 75 Salutation: Excelencia ________________________________________________ Rui Correia Advocacy, Huamn Rights, Media and Language Consultant 36 Finch St, Ontdekkers Park, 1709 Roodepoort-Johannesburg, South Africa Tel/ Fax (+27-11) 766-4336 Cell (+27) (0) 83-368-1214
