Family members of the detained journalist, Afandy Joseph, are being prevented from visiting him in detention in Juba, a civil society group has said.

Journalist Joseph was detained in December last year after he wrote an article criticizing the ruling party, SPLM, in Al-Thabeer newspaper, which was later closed down by security officials.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization says it is negotiating with the human rights commission for the release of the journalist.

“If he committed a crime, please bring him to face justice so that it becomes a lesson for us to learn from,” said Edmond Yakani, CEPO Executive Director. “If they didn’t commit any crime please free them.”

For its part, the Office of the President says it is not aware of the detention.

“I don’t have details about his detention. His detention has nothing to do with the office of the president,” Ateny Wek Ateny, the presidential press secretary, told Eye Radio.

CEPO says Mr Afandy has now been under detention for a month without charges.