The Sierra Leone Police have confirmed that personal items belonging to Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leeuwen remain in their custody, despite her recent release to continue her work in the country.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Allieu Jalloh, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Van Leeuwen’s passport, mobile phone, and camera are currently being analyzed by the police’s cyber unit.

ACP Jalloh assured that the items will be returned to the journalist within the next day or two upon completion of the analysis.

In a related development, a vehicle belonging to local journalist Joseph Turay, who was assisting Van Leeuwen as a fixer, is also being held at the CID compound.

Turay reportedly abandoned the vehicle out of fear of being detained. ACP Jalloh has assured the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) that Turay can reclaim his vehicle after providing a formal statement.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists has stated that it remains in close contact with the police and has committed to providing further updates on any new developments regarding the case.