(JED/IFEX) – Pierre Sosthène Kambidi, the “Le Phare” daily’s permanent correspondent in Tshikapa (Western Kasaï province, in central Democratic Republic of Congo), was released on Thursday 28 September 2000. In a message to JED, Kambidi explained that he was released by order of the Tshikapa territorial administrator, who, like all local authorities, was “troubled that […]
(JED/IFEX) – Pierre Sosthène Kambidi, the “Le Phare” daily’s permanent correspondent in Tshikapa (Western Kasaï province, in central Democratic Republic of Congo), was released on Thursday 28 September 2000.
In a message to JED, Kambidi explained that he was released by order of the Tshikapa territorial administrator, who, like all local authorities, was “troubled that news of my arrest was broadcast by international radio stations.”
Kambidi explained that prior to his late evening release, Jean-Jacques Mbayo, the head of the local National Information Agency (Agence nationale de renseignements, ANR, general information services) station, burst into his cell and ordered four accompanying police officers to beat him. The journalist sustained wounds to his forehead, a collarbone injury and a swollen left leg. After several days of medical treatment, Kambidi states that he is recovering from his injuries.
He fears a second arrest, however, as “those who ordered my arrest can’t stomach international human rights organisations’ alerts and other media reports on my situation.”
The permanent correspondent for “Le Phare” adds that he has lost his service documents, US$200 and other personal documents.
Kambidi was arrested and detained at the Tshikapa central prison on 20 August. He believes that his arrest is connected to an article he published in “Le Phare” in which he implicated a local judge in a diamond scandal.
