Reporter Alusine Antha was attacked while covering land disputes in Sierra Leone

Reporter Alusine Antha.

The incident took place in the western city of Waterloo on February 17 when about 30 people attacked the journalist as he covered a land dispute meeting, according to Antha, who spoke to CPJ by phone, and the Media Reform Coordinating Group, a local press association.

Various members of the local Matale community and former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Christopher John were engaged in a dispute, and Anthony, a presenter and producer with Eagle Africa FM, planned to cover the meeting. Upon his arrival at the scene, he found numerous young people insulting officers and when the officers asked them to step aside, these demonstrators threw stones at them and destroyed John's car, Antha explained.

A group of people attacked Antha as he attempted to leave on his motorcycle, accusing him of being part of John's team, throwing stones at him, hitting him with sticks, stealing his motorbike, two phones, and a recorder, according to the journalist. 

Since last year, Anthony has covered the land dispute on his weekly radio show.

His head was swollen and scratches covered various parts of his body, and he was treated for injuries to his hand and back. Eight days after the attack, Antha said that Matale community members returned his motorbike, but his phones and recorder had not been returned.

Seven people are facing assault charges for attacking Antha, the journalist. There was no appearance in court by any of the suspects on February 21, and there was another scheduled for March 14.