A court in India has granted bail to the Ghent (East Flanders) photojournalist Simon Clément. He had been held in custody for two weeks. Although in good health, Simon Clément is somewhat subdued after having spent a the past fortnight locked up in an Indian prison. Although he has now been freed he will have to remain in India until his trial that is due to be held at the end of May.
The news organisation he was working for Apache reports that bail of 50,000 rupees (just over 530 euro) has been paid for Simon Clément’s release.
The journalist Paul Gebruers is in daily contact with Simon Clément. He says that “The news has come a week later than expected”. The Ghent photojournalist must remain in India until his case comes to trial. He will answer charges of having entered India without a valid visa and having been in possession of an empty cartridge case. The latter charge is particularly sensitive given that he was arrested on India’s border with Myanmar.
Mr Gebruers says that he doesn’t expect Simon Clément to return to prison. “We now have to wait for the investigation to conclude. That should take a maximum of 60 days. There will be a verdict on the case by the end of May at the latest."
Souvenir from an area controlled by rebels
Simon Clément was detained on 5 March while on his way back from Myanmar to India. Customs officers noticed that the East Fleming didn’t have a journalist visa nor an entry/exit visa for India.
These are minor offences for which normally only fines are issued. However, customs officers found an empty cartridge case in the photojournalist’s luggage. Simon Clément claims that this is a souvenir he had taken from an area that is under the control of rebels. He was detained and held in custody until his release earlier today (Friday 21 March).