Bloggers detained in Ivory Coast

Activists accused of interfering with relief efforts after New Year's stampede.

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A view of a street in Plateau district where a stampede occurred after a New Year's Eve fireworks display in Abidjan. (REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon)

Two Ivorian bloggers were detained for police questioning on Friday after using social media to aid victims of a stampede during New Year's celebrations in Abidjan's Plateau district. Mohamed Diaby and Cyriac Gbogou led an online initiative to help identify victims of the tragedy that resulted in the deaths of at least 61 people.

View the story "Bloggers detained in Ivory Coast" on StorifyBloggers detained in Ivory CoastActivists accused of interfering with relief efforts after New Year's stampedeStorified by The Stream· Fri, Jan 04 2013 14:56:44The Stream's Malika Bilal spoke with Mohamed Diaby about his detention:Mohamed Diaby interviewajstreamMohamed tweeted after being questioned by police:#drameplateau i have just been arrested by the police for our citizen action to provide helping hand to victims in cote d'ivoirediaby mohamed#drameplateau looks like rather than addressing the situation, they prefer to stop us working on the ground and helping families and victimsdiaby mohamedAs rumours spread that the two had been held, Twitter users immediately campaigned for their release:Appel pour relax de @diabymohamed et @cyriacgbogou. Call for #cotedivoire police to release detained humanitarian bloggers. #DramePlateauNnenna La caricature faite ds le feu de l'action à l'arrestation de @cyriacgbogou & @diabymohamed #drameplateau http://pic.twitter.com/6l1JHRRwLiebe BAT#dramePlateau #ci225 #civ2010 voici le visuel qu'à produit les graphistes http://pic.twitter.com/wR2AjUJIjean-patrick EhoumanSTOP A L INTIMIDATION en #civ2010 leurs seule crime vouloir aide des familles en détresse #drameplateau http://pic.twitter.com/yTYdeyYopour la paixTranslation: What do they call interference? To bring water, food and to help their relatives, is that interference? Qu'est-ce qu'ils appellent interférence? Apporter de l'eau, des vivres et aider les parents, c'est de l'interférence? #drameplateauMariam DiabyAfter the stampede, netizens in Ivory Coast used the hashtag #DramePlateau [Plateau Drama] to share information and coordinate donations.Translation: Please, can we use the hashtag #DramePlateau for better synchronization of information and to allow others to follow us. Thank you.SVP, pouvons-nous utiliser le hashtag #DramePlateau pour une meilleure synchronisation des infos et permettre aux autres de ns suivre. MerciCyriac GbogouTranslation: We are looking for a missing child by the name of Mohamed Kone, aged 15 and from Kumasi.Ns recherchons un enfant disparu répondant au nom de Mohamed Koné, âgé de 15 ans et provenant de Koumassi #DramePlateau http://pic.twitter.com/4P59xg5bCyriac GbogouTranslation: To find your missing relatives in Plateau since December 31...SVP Voici la phoo de profil à mettre pour information #DramePlateau http://pic.twitter.com/5kNMact1Cyriac GbogouTranslation: Need a volunteer on site with additional PC to coordinate list and management of relatives.#drameplateau besoin d'un volontaire supplementaire sur place avec pc pour coordonner liste et gestion parentsdiaby mohamedTranslation: Inventory of some donations.Inventaire de quelques dons #drameplateauIsrael Yoroba GUEBOTranslation: Donations continue to arrive.Les dons continuent darriver #drameplateauIsrael Yoroba GUEBOAfter calls from citizens, Ivory Coast's president Alassane Outtara launched an investigation into how the stampede started.Ivory Coast mourns stampede victimsaljazeeraenglish