(JED/IFEX) – On 17 June 2003, Bamporiki Chamira, a journalist with the Kinshasa-based daily “La Tempête des Tropiques”, appeared before Kinshasa’s State Security Court, presided by Judge Mbo Lupungu. Chamira has been detained since 14 February. The journalist has been officially charged with “direct or indirect participation in a plot aimed at eliminating President Joseph […]
(JED/IFEX) – On 17 June 2003, Bamporiki Chamira, a journalist with the Kinshasa-based daily “La Tempête des Tropiques”, appeared before Kinshasa’s State Security Court, presided by Judge Mbo Lupungu. Chamira has been detained since 14 February.
The journalist has been officially charged with “direct or indirect participation in a plot aimed at eliminating President Joseph Kabila and direct or indirect participation in Commander Doris Mbenge’s escape from an ANR/Lemera [National Intelligence Agency] cell”.
Commander Mbenge, who is Chamira’s son-in-law, was arrested and detained with several other soldiers who were accused of preparing a plot aimed at avenging the death of Commander Anselme Masasu Nidaga, who was executed in November 2000 following a summary trial before the Court of Military Order (Cour d’ordre militaire, COM).
In the course of the hearing, Chamira’s lawyer, Dieudonnée Diku, asked the prosecution to list the facts that would prove the journalist had participated in the alleged plot. The lawyer for the prosecution said that on the day of Commander Mbenge’s escape, at 1:00 a.m. (local time), the journalist had placed a call to his daughter, who is Mbenge’s wife. The lawyer went on to say that during the conversation, the journalist allegedly asked his daughter about “the progress of the operation.” Chamira admitted that he had spoken to his daughter on that day, but denied that he had enquired about any operation. The defence said that the prosecution’s testimony presupposes that Chamira’s telephone was tapped, and that consequently it should have been possible to prevent Mbenge’s escape from custody.
The next hearing in Chamira’s trial is scheduled for 24 June. Four other members of Chamira’s family are also being tried, including a woman and a minor. The other accused are Nyamwoga Munyerenkana Florence, Ngabo Bamporiki Raymond, Sankina Bigabwa Rony and Munganga Mutambwe Roger.
