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Authorities in Guinea have shut down a bi-monthly paper for two months on accusations of publishing false news, the National Communication Council (CNC) said Thursday.
The opposition-aligned Echoes of Guinea "is suspended for a two month period from February 22 to April 22 for publication of false information and for attacking the dignity and honor" of Kiridi Bangoura, Minister of Decentralisation and Territorial Administration, said the statement.
In a article Tuesday the paper accused the Guinean minister, and former security minister Kiridi Bangoura, of siphoning public funds for personal enrichment.
The paper also called for an audit of last December's local government elections.
The outcome of the elections sparked violent protests in Guinea's Gueckedou town 550 kilometres (350 miles) from Conakry when residents protested the composition of the town council installed in the wake of December polls.
They accused authorities of manipulating the results to impose a politician from the ruling party as mayor.
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AFP 232159 GMT 02 06
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