(MISA/IFEX) – Journalist Domingos Mussamo has been found not guilty of “violating state secrets”. The journalist had been charged following an unpublished article that made reference to a letter from the provincial governor to President Eduardo Dos Santos. However, the local governor’s press secretary, Augustinho Mateus Augusto, was found guilty of the crime and received […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Journalist Domingos Mussamo has been found not guilty of “violating state secrets”. The journalist had been charged following an unpublished article that made reference to a letter from the provincial governor to President Eduardo Dos Santos. However, the local governor’s press secretary, Augustinho Mateus Augusto, was found guilty of the crime and received a one year prison sentence. He is out on bail pending appeal.
Background Information
Domingos Mussamo was arrested on 2 December 1999 and was detained for just over 100 days in Cuanza Norte. At the time, he was the chief editor of the Cuanza Norte provincial branch of Angolan National Radio, and a correspondent for the independent bi-weekly “Folha 8”. While in detention, he was dismissed from his job at the national radio. On being released on bail in March 2000, Mussamo was ordered not to leave Cuanza Norte province nor resume his professional activities. Mussamo had been charged under the Law of Crimes against the State.
