relief – Hamid Mahmoud, a journalist with Agadez’s Radio Sahara FM, was detained in May 2025 after reporting on the alleged ‘rupture’ of security agreements between Niger and Russia.

Hamid Mahmoud, a respected journalist from Radio Sahara FM in Agadez, northern Niger, was granted his freedom this Friday, concluding a detention that spanned over a year. The news of his release was confirmed by a representative from a Nigerien private media association, as well as by Aïr Info, a media outlet affiliated with the same press group as Radio Sahara FM.

Established in 2003, Sahara FM stands as one of the most influential radio stations operating across Niger’s vast northern desert region. Mahmoud, along with two other journalists from the station, faced two separate arrests in Agadez in May 2025. Their detention followed reports discussing an alleged ‘rupture’ in security contracts between Niger and Russia, a nation with which Niamey’s military regime has forged closer ties.

According to reports from Aïr Info, the three journalists were transferred to Niamey in mid-May 2025 and subsequently brought before a military tribunal the following month. The publication stated that Hamid Mahmoud was placed under remand on June 13, 2025, at Kollo civil prison, situated near Niamey. Initially, he faced serious charges of “undermining national defense” and “conspiracy against state authority,” which were later downgraded to a press offense.

Thirteen journalists arrested in Niger during 2025

Among the other two detained journalists, Mahaman Sani was released in August, as reported by Aïr Info, while Massaouda Jaharou had secured provisional release swiftly after their initial arrests. This week, two other Nigerien journalists, who had been imprisoned since November 2025 on charges of “com(…)”