Group of demobilised soldiers raids privately-owned radio station
(JED/IFEX) – On 1 February 2008, a group of individuals including five demobilised soldiers of the Burundian army raided Radio publique africaine (RPA), a privately-owned radio station based in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Witnesses told JED that “the demobilised soldiers belonged to the faction of the Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Force […]
Court acquits radio journalists charged with “endangering security”
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 3 January 2007 CPJ press release: BURUNDI: Court acquits journalists charged with endangering security New York, January 3, 2007-A court in Burundi today rebuffed the government, ordering the release of three journalists and rejecting the prosecution’s claim that their reporting in connection with an alleged coup plot compromised public […]
Prosecutor seeks three-year prison sentences for three journalists
(MFWA/IFEX) – Three radio journalists in Burundi face prison sentences if found guilty on charges resulting from material they broadcast a few months ago. On 14 December 2006, a prosecutor asked a Bujumbura court to sentence each of the three journalists from privately-owned radio stations to three years’ imprisonment. Mathias Manirakiza, director of Radio Isanganiro, […]
Anti-graft activist arrested, charged with defaming businessman; peace activist tried over letter to president, awaiting verdict; trial date set for radio journalists charged for reports on fake coup plot
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is an 11 December 2006 Human Rights Watch press release: Burundi: New UN Peacebuilding Body Must Stress Human Rights (New York, December 11, 2006) – When the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission meets with representatives of the Burundian government tomorrow, this new UN body designed to promote recovery for countries after armed […]
Journalist summoned by prosecutor goes missing; IFJ calls for end of intimidation campaign against independent journalism
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 5 December 2006 IFJ media release: IFJ Calls for End of Intimidation Campaign Against Independent Journalism in Burundi The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the government of Burundi to put an end to the repression of journalists after the government has stepped up its campaign of […]
Bonesha FM director summoned by prosecutor
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is outraged by the wave of arrests of journalists in the capital city, Bujumbura. In the latest incident, on 1 December 2006, the director of the privately-owned radio station Bonesha FM, Corneille Nibaratu, was summoned by the public prosecutor, a prelude to his probable incarceration in Mpimba central prison. “The climate has […]
Third radio journalist jailed in growing crackdown
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 29 November 2006 CPJ press release: BURUNDI: Third radio journalist jailed in growing crackdown New York, November 29, 2006 – The Committee to Protect Journalists demands that three radio journalists jailed in Burundi in the past week, including Matthias Manirakiza detained today, be released immediately. “This looks more and […]
Prosecutor questions journalists on sources in aborted coup case
(JED/IFEX) – On 28 November 2006, Bob Rugurika and Christelle Ruvari, journalists with the Bujumbura-based, privately-owned radio station Radio publique africaine (RPA), were questioned by the Bujumbura Prosecutor’s Office. Although originally summoned to appear before the court on 24 November, the two journalists were only heard on 28 November. The summons stems from a 20 […]
Two more journalists summoned in case of alleged coup plot
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 23 November 2006 IFJ media release: IFJ Calls for Release of Burundi Journalists Imprisoned for Coup Coverage The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the jailing and harassment of journalists by the Burundi government in an apparent reaction to broadcasts that suggested a failed coup attempt was actually […]
Journalists imprisoned for “violating judicial secrecy”
(JED/IFEX) – On 22 November 2006, Serges Nibizi, an executive producer with the independent Bujumbura-based radio station Radio publique africaine (RPA), and Domitile Kiramvu, a journalist with the station, were arrested on orders of the Bujumbura Prosecutor’s Office. The two were later transferred to the Mpimba central prison, where they are currently being held. According […]
Journalist released after five months of incarceration
(JED/IFEX) – Journalist in Danger (JED) has welcomed the 30 October 2006 release of Aloys Kabura, a Kayanza-based correspondent for the Burundian Press Agency (Agence burundaise de presse, ABP). Kayanza is a province located in northern Burundi. The journalist spent five months in jail in the central prison of Ngozi. On 18 September 2006, the […]
Authorities question three journalists in continuing campaign of intimidation against radio stations
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 2 October 2006 CPJ press release: BURUNDI: CPJ condemns continuing harassment of radio journalists New York, October 2, 2006 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the ongoing campaign of intimidation by the authorities in Burundi against radio stations that have cast doubt on a government claim […]
Radio station director forced into hiding again by continued government harassment
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 September 2006 CPJ press release: BURUNDI: Government harassment forces radio chief into hiding New York, September 28, 2006 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the government of Burundi for a campaign of harassment and intimidation which has forced Alexis Sinduhije, the head of Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), […]
News agency reporter gets five months in prison for criticising government in a bar
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced “deep concern about the future of democracy in Burundi” after Aloys Kabura, the state-owned Agence Burundaise de Presse’s correspondent in the northern city of Kayanza, was sentenced on 18 September 2006 by a court in Ngozi to five months in prison for “rebellion” and “defamatory statements.” Kabura was […]
Journalists receive death threats as ruling party supporters target radio station in aggressive campaign
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced concern about the growing hostility of the ruling party’s supporters towards the privately-owned radio station Isanganiro. The station’s editor is the target of a campaign of threats and smears and one of its journalists was roughed up during a ruling coalition meeting. “Even if he ignores our calls […]
Ruling party leader makes threatening comments towards media in public address
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has said it was appalled by ruling party chief Hussein Radjabu’s threatening comments towards the press on 3 September 2006 and, in particular, his personal attack on Emmanuel Nsabimana, a journalist with Radio ONUB, a station operated by the local UN mission. “The tension triggered by allegations of a coup […]