A court on Tuesday ordered the release of a prominent anti-government journalist from Senegal after more than two months in custody, according to his attorneys.
Regular current affairs columnist Niang, who was released from prison on December 14 but returned a week later, had been protesting his detention by going on a hunger strike since then.
His lawyer, Moussa Sarr, said that in addition to a tight travel prohibition, Niang was subject to a strict gag order as part of the interim release order.
He was “extremely strained” from a hunger strike launched in protest at his detention, the lawyer said, adding that he is still in hospital.
The journalist has been at Dakar’s main hospital since December 24, where doctors have voiced concern about his condition, according to a local press organization.
Another of his lawyers, Cire Cledor Ly, said the case was “political” and Diang ought to end the hunger strike.
“He held out, it was very hard, but he was fighting for a principle and he has won,” the lawyer said.
The case against Niang arose after he wrote about rape charges faced by Senegal’s main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko.
Niang was accused of describing confidential messages about security arrangements for Sonko’s questioning by investigators, according to trade unions.
His detention sparked a wave of criticism from the press, civil society groups and Senegal’s opposition, with many calling for his release.