Human Rights Worker Charged With Espionage

March 12, 2007 1:09 PM
Dana Hughes Reports:

An African government with a reputation for heavy-handedness is detaining a respected human rights worker on spying charges, drawing condemnation and rebukes from U.S. lawmakers and anti-corruption activists.

Nearly four weeks ago, security forces from the government of Angola stormed the hotel room of Dr. Sarah Wykes, a 41-year-old British activist visiting the country to meet with government and nonprofit officials.

Wykes' group, Global Witness, has criticized the Angolan government for taking billions of dollars from oil companies while most of its residents live in poverty.

After jailing her for several days, Angolan authorities charged her with espionage. The government has denied Wykes her own lawyer. Though she has been released on bail pending her trial, Wykes is not permitted to leave Angola.

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