KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Journalism watch...

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- Journalism watchdog assign places tos called on the Sudanese sway Sunday to release a Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent who was in custody forward charges of espionage and other crimes.

The of recent origin York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said it was "deeply troubled" above Chicago Tribune correspondent Paul Salopek's arrest earlier this month and the charges filed against him Saturday.

"We view these charges as a grave threat to pres freedom and call forward the Sudanese authorities to view to it that they are dismissed and that our colleague is plant free," Joel Campagna, the group's Mideast program coordinator, said in a statement.

Salopek, his driver and interpreter were arrested Aug. 6 on pro- government forces in the war-torn Darfur region.

CHARGES CALLED 'RIDICULOUS'

Salopek, who lives in novel Mexico, was working on a free-lance assignment for National Geographic magazine at the time of his arrest.

The 44-year-old journalist is charged with espionage, passing information illegally, writing "false news" and a non-criminal immigration charge of entering the abiding habitation without a visa. Salopek's driver and interpreter -- the one and the other Chadian nationals -- face the same charges.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders called the charges "ridiculous" and said he was just trying to screen the "tragic situation" in Sudan.

Ann Marie Lipinski, Chicago Tribune editor and senior vice president, said Salopek is not a scout and urged the Sudanese command to allow him to respond home.

A justice Saturday granted a defense motion to delay his trial until clan 10.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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