The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have confirmed that personal belongings of Dutch journalist Sophie van Leeuwen, including her passport, mobile phone, and camera, remain in police custody despite her release.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Allieu Jalloh, head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the items are currently undergoing analysis at the police cyber unit. He assured that they would be returned once the process is completed within the next day or two.
Meanwhile, a vehicle belonging to local journalist Joseph Turay, who had been assisting van Leeuwen as a fixer, remains at the CID compound. Reports indicate that Turay abandoned the vehicle out of fear of being detained. ACP Jalloh has assured the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) that Turay can reclaim the vehicle but will be required to provide a statement before doing so.
SLAJ remains in close communication with the police and has pledged to provide updates on any further developments.
