Lawyer detained overnight for publishing the photo of a police officer

Lawyer Akil Bissessur has been released by Port Louis Court this Thursday after having been detained overnight at the Moka Detention Centre.

He was arrested on Wednesday for alleged “Breach of the Information and Communication Technologies Act (ICTA)”. The lawyer, said to be very vociferous against the Government was taken under custody after being quizzed for 7 hours at the Police Headquarters in Port Louis.

On his release, Bissessur denounced his arrest as being “arbitrary” and Illegal”.

In a statement to local media, he criticised the Commissioner of Police and his top lieutenants.

Bissessur is accused of having posted a photo of a police officer on social networks. The officer had allegedly assaulted his client, Darren l’Activiste, during protests that rocked the island a few weeks ago.

Bissessur’s lawyers argued he used social networks “to call for witnesses”.

According to media reports, he is no longer allowed to post anything on social networks until the end of this case.

His lawyers have filed motions to strike out the provisional charge against him and lift the ban on leaving the country.