(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has called for the release of Aloys Kabura of the government-owned Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP), who has been kept in detention for the past two weeks in the northern city of Kayanza by means of legal irregularities and manoeuvres by the local prosecutor. Kabura was arrested on 31 May […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has called for the release of Aloys Kabura of the government-owned Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP), who has been kept in detention for the past two weeks in the northern city of Kayanza by means of legal irregularities and manoeuvres by the local prosecutor. Kabura was arrested on 31 May 2006 for criticising the government while in a bar.
“This is typical of all legal cases that are subject to pressure from the police and politicians,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Kabura is clearly being singled out for speaking his mind. The Burundian courts must free Kabura at once to avoid becoming accomplices to the abuse of authority and the shenanigans that put him in prison.”
According to prosecutor Jean Paul Manwagari, Kabura was arrested for “making defamatory statements about the regime on 21 April.” He was illegally imprisoned because the offence with which he was originally charged is punishable by a maximum of two months in prison or a fine of 5,000 Burundian francs (approx. US$5) and, under Burundian law, pretrial custody can only be ordered in cases carrying a minimum penalty of a year in prison.
After realising the mistake, the prosecutor issued a new arrest warrant on 5 June listing additional offences and backdated it to before Kabura’s arrest. He is now accused of rebellion, insult and slanderous allegations. The prosecutor claims the original warrant was due to a secretarial mistake.
The organisation Lawyers Without Borders said it might take charge of Kabura’s defence. A custody hearing is now scheduled for 16 June.
