Journalist killed

Republic of Congo
This article is more than 26 years old

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

4 September 1998

1 minute read

(RSF/IFEX) – On 4 September 1998, RSF strongly protested the murder of journalist Fabien Fortune Bitoumbo. According to RSF, on 29 August, Fabien Fortune Bitoumbo, a journalist with the privately-owned radio station Radio Liberté and former editor-in-chief of the privately-owned newspaper “La Rue Meurt”, was gunned down at point-blank range by Bernard Kolelas’ militia group […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 4 September 1998, RSF strongly protested the murder of
journalist Fabien Fortune Bitoumbo. According to RSF, on 29 August, Fabien
Fortune Bitoumbo, a journalist with the privately-owned radio station Radio
Liberté and former editor-in-chief of the privately-owned newspaper “La Rue
Meurt”, was gunned down at point-blank range by Bernard Kolelas’ militia
group (the Ninjas). Fabien Fortune Bitoumbo was on assignment accompanying
Michel Mampouya, Minister of Mining and Industry, on a trip to Mindouli
(150 kilometres from Brazzaville), which is under the control of the
Ninjas. The journalist was taken hostage along with his companions before
being killed.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to the president
  • reminding him, without commenting on the specifics of the case, that
    the Republic of Congo has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and
    Political Rights and the African Charter, Articles 19 and 9 (respectively)
    of which guarantee freedom of expression and information
  • asking him to use his influence in order that those responsible for the
    murder of Fabien Fortune Bitoumbo be identified and sentenced

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President Denis Sassou Nguesso
    
Presidential Palace
    
Brazzaville, Congo
    

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