The Prime Minister of Mauritania's bodyguards physically attacked radio journalist Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Moghdad two days before newspaper editor Sidi Mohamed Ould Ebbe was charged with “libeling the First Lady” over the weekend.

Reporters Without Borders condemned both actions in Mauritania in a statement released Monday, following Saturday's charges against Ebbe and Thursday's beating of Moghdad.

“Press freedom had made some progress in Mauritania, especially during the last elections, but the attack on Moghdad is a step backwards as regards the physical safety of journalists,” the organisation said in a statement.

Although the First Lady has the right to sue for libel, “she should remember that she is a public figure who can expect to be exposed to comment and criticism from the media. In this kind of case, the right of response is preferable to legal action,” Reporters Without Borders stated.

The altercation between Moghdad and the bodyguards happened while Moghdad was covering Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane's visit to the health ministry for state-owned Radio Mauritanie. “Moghdad left the news conference room for a few moments and was stopped by the prime minister's head bodyguard, Zein Ould Soueydatt, on his return. When Moghdad showed his press card and tried to enter, Soueydatt ordered his men to beat him,” the press freedom organisation said.

The libel charge against Ebbe, editor of the privately-owned El Bedil Athalith, was brought in response to a complaint the First Lady filed four days prior about two articles she said accused her of using her position to request funding for her charity.

Ebbe, who has been questioned by a state prosecutor, denied the articles attacked the First Lady. He is scheduled to appear before a Nouakchott court Wednesday. If convicted, he could be fined or put in prison.