United Kingdom and United States governments are calling for the immediate return of confiscated equipment belonging to an investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe of Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ).

“We note that he has now been released, but call for the immediate return of the confiscated equipment, and respect for privacy of any information contained therein. A free media is one of the pillars of democracy,” the statement says.

Yesterday, the Malawi Police Service (MPS) raided the offices of PIJ where they arrested Gondwe and confiscated his computers and phones.

Later, the policed released Gondwe but kept his gadgets.

The two governments, through their envoys, have said in a joint statement that they are concerned with Gondwe’s detention and the seizing of his computers and other devices.

“We are very concerned by reports that police raided the offices of the Platform for Investigative Journalism today, took Gregory Gondwe into custody and seized IT equipment.