On 20 January 2000, the Kinshasa/Gombe Court produced edict number 017/2000 relating to the case of Polycarpe Honsek Hokwoy, editor of the newspaper “La Solidarité”. The court, benched in the council chamber of Kinshasa’s Penitentiary and Reeducation Centre (Centre pénitentiaire et de rééducation de Kinshasa, CPRK), formerly the Makala Central Prison (Prison centrale de Makala), […]
On 20 January 2000, the Kinshasa/Gombe Court produced edict number 017/2000 relating to the case of Polycarpe Honsek Hokwoy, editor of the newspaper “La Solidarité”. The court, benched in the council chamber of Kinshasa’s Penitentiary and Reeducation Centre (Centre pénitentiaire et de rééducation de Kinshasa, CPRK), formerly the Makala Central Prison (Prison centrale de Makala), decided to keep the journalist in detention while his case is being investigated. This decision effectively cancels the Kinshasa/Ngaliema Courtâs order which granted Honsek provisional release on 17 November.
On Friday 21 January, at the request of the public ministry, the Kinshasa/Gombe Court, benching in CPRK’s foraine room, heard deliberations on the case. Honsek Hokwoy appeared alone at the hearing, without the representation of his lawyers.
A sentence should be pronounced by the court within eight days.
Honsek Hokwoy is facing a prison sentence of eight days to one year. He was arrested on 6 November, after publishing, in his newspaper, an article that falsely proclaimed the arrest of Finance Minister Mawampanga Mwana Nanga.
