Liberian judge denies bail for journalists accused of spying

MONROVIA, Liberia (CNN) -- A Liberian judge refused on Wednesday to grant bail to four international journalists being held on espionage charges.

The four journalists were arrested on Friday while they were taping a documentary for CNN and Britain's Channel Four network.

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Varney Sherman, an attorney for the four, said he would appeal the decision not to allow the men out on bail.

"We will appeal to the Supreme Court and ask them to immediately review the erroneous ruling of the trial judge and reverse it," Sherman said.

Sierra Leonean Sorious Samura, South African Gugulakhe Radebe and Britons Timothy John Lambon and David Barrie were arrested on suspicion of collecting sensitive information to injure Liberia's image and of taping in areas where they lacked permission.

Samura is the award-winning producer of the documentary "Out of Africa," also called "Cry Freetown."

Sherman said the judge who refused to release them called espionage a capital offense and said the presumption of the foursome's guilt is "very great." However, Sherman said, espionage is a felony punishable by 10 years in prison, but not by death.

Sherman also said the men were removed from a Monrovia prison on Tuesday night and taken to the Liberian National Security Agency.

He said the four told them they were mistreated before being returned to the prison.

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