Journalist Richard Niyongere has been accused by the Minister of Defence of being an “agent” for British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and of using his employment at the news agency, Agence burundaise de presse (ABP), as a cover. On 29 April 1996, Niyongere reported on the slaying of eight members of a family in the Bujumbura […]
Journalist Richard Niyongere has been accused by the Minister of
Defence of being an “agent” for British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) and of using his employment at the news agency, Agence
burundaise de presse (ABP), as a cover. On 29 April 1996,
Niyongere reported on the slaying of eight members of a family in
the Bujumbura suburb of Buyenzi. Agence France Presse (AFP) used
his information to report on the story the same day. Later in the
afternoon, the French-language programme of the BBC reported on
the slayings using the information broadcast by AFP. This was
apparently sufficient reason for Niyongere to be accused of
secretly working for the BBC. An order was subsequently issued
for his arrest. However, Niyongere succeeded in evading arrest,
and is currently in hiding.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Niyongere is protected
for Niyongere’s arrest
Appeals To
His Excellency Sylvestre Ntibantunganya
President of the Republic of Burundi
Bujumbura, Burundi
Fax: +257 22 66 13/+257 22 60 63
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
