AMNESTY International said on Wednesday that it was concerned freedom of expression is under attack from the government in Guinea-Bissau as two journalists face charges of defamation. The London-based human rights group said in a statement that other journalists in Guinea-Bissau have also been detained and harassed in recent months for criticising government policies. Joao de Barros, the managing editor of the daily Diario de Bissau, and his colleague Athizar Mendes were detained on June 17 over an article implicating President Kumba Yala in alleged corruption. Police freed the pair a day later, state radio said. The article accused the president of heading a network of corrupt top civil servants accused of embezzling public funds by claiming false expenses and adding fictitious names to official travel forms, while giving money to friends. The Amnesty statement said the government should take steps to end the arbitrary detention and harassment of journalists and to bring those responsible for such abuses to justice.” – AFP