Arrest of journalist causes concern

THE arrest and treatment handed out to journalist Vittorio de Filippis, former managing editor of the daily Libération, has caused great concern amongst the media.

Three police officers turned up at Vittorio de Filippis' home in Paris at 6.40am on Friday to arrest him over a libel case that dates back two years, whilst he was caring for his children.

Media campaign group, Reporters sans Frontières, say that Vittorio de Filippis faced 'coercive methods' including body searches and no legal representation.

Libération voiced their concern at what they feel is a growing threat to press freedom in France, and the Wahington Post quotes one of the French newspaper's lawyers who said that for his supposed crime Vittorio de Filippis would face a fine and not a jail sentence.