PUBLICAI Index: EUR 39/06/99

1 February 1999

Further information on UA 13/99 (EUR 39/03/99, 19 January 1999) - Health concern/Prisoner of conscience

ROMANIACornel Sabou, journalist

On 29 January 1999 it was reported that President Emil Constantinescu had pardoned Cornel Sabou, a journalist from Baia Mare, who had been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for libelling a judge.

“In this way the President has demonstrated that he understands the freedom of the press better than the state institutions,” Cornel Sabou told a Romanian national daily newspaper. He suspended his hunger strike after he learned that Amnesty International had issued an urgent action on his behalf, convinced that his case would receive proper consideration as a result.

No further action is required by the Urgent Action network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.