Between 15 and 23 January 2006 a number of journalists were subjected to physical and verbal abuse as well as systematic intimidation by groups of protesters proclaiming themselves to be “Jeunes Patriotes” (Young Patriots). They were protesting against a statement by the Groupe de travail international (GTI, the international mediation group on Côte d’Ivoire) that the mandate of members of parliament, which had expired on 16 December 2005, “was not to be extended”.
