The High Court in Banjul has decided to hear the testimony of the prosecution's first witness in the sedition case against 7 journalists in camera.

The court reached this decision after the State prosecutor, Richard N Chenge, applied that he wants the witness' testimony to be heard in camera. He said that this was because the witness is a security agent, thus he did not want the witness' identity to be revealed in public. Antouman Gaye, who is heading the defense for 6 of the accused persons, did not object to the application, but Sam Sarr, who is defending himself said, "My Lord, I am objecting to that. The witness' name can be concealed, but his testimony should be heard by the public."

But the presiding judge, Justice J Wowo, overruled Sarr's objection. This paper has learned that after the first witness completed his testimony, the case was adjourned to July 20, 2009. During Friday's sitting, there were objections and counter objections from the defense and the prosecution. The defense was arguing that the charges were not proper, but the prosecution maintained that the charges were proper. At the end, the presiding judge over ruled the defense and asked the accused to enter their plea.

All the 7 pleaded not guilty to the charges of sedition, and criminal defamation, among others. The seven journalists are, Ebrima Sawaneh, Pap Saine, Pa Modou Faal, Sarata Jabbie-Dibba, Sam Sarr, Abubacarr SaidyKhan and Emile Touray.