The group of seven Gambian journalists who were arrested in a swoop on June 15 by agents of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), have been granted bail on Monday, June 22, the West Africa media monitoring organisation, MFWA says in a press statement.

According to the MFWA, the four newspaper journalists and three executives of the Gambian Press Union (GPU) charged with three counts of publishing with “seditious intention” were on June 22, 2009 granted bail by the Kanifing Court in the sum of 200,000 Dalasis (about US$7, 000) and two sureties each.

Additionally, the journalists are to produce two landed properties.

The seven journalists received the same bail conditions as that of Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, vice president of the GPU who was granted bail on the June 19 because she is nursing a six-month old baby.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources said the journalists refused to take their pleas because their lawyers were not present.

Meanwhile, Augustine Kanja, reporter of The Point newspaper was arrested by security personnel deployed outside the court premises for attempting to photograph the large crowd which thronged the court to provide solidarity to the journalists.

The crowd, mainly colleague journalists, family members and other well-wishers were prevented from entering the court premises, which was heavily guarded by military personnel armed in riot gear.

The highway, between Banjul, the capital and Serrekunda, the second largest city in Gambia; leading to the court house was also blocked.

The United Kingdom High Commissioner and his United States counterpart also attended the court session.

The journalists and the GPU executives would reappear on July 7.