Journaliste En Danger (Kinshasa)
13 February 2008
press release
Maurice Kayombo, a journalist with "Les Grands Enjeux", an investigative magazine published in Kinshasa, was released on 12 February 2008, after spending 34 days in detention. The journalist told JED that he was released by order of the new justice and human rights minister.
On 31 January, in a letter addressed to Justice and Human Rights Minister Symphorien Mutombo Bakafua Nsenda, JED denounced the prolonged and abusive detention of the journalist, whose only action was to have sought to verify information. JED had requested that the minister order Kayombo's immediate ad unconditional release.
BACKGROUND:
Kayombo was arrested on 9 January in the offices of Christophe Kanionio, the secretary-general of the Mining Ministry and plaintiff, after the journalist responded to an invitation by the official to verify information he had obtained regarding the management of the mining sector. The journalist was charged with "blackmail and disparaging an official" and was transferred on 12 January to a holding cell of the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court, where he was accused of "damaging allegations and attempted swindling" against Kanionio. On 16 January, he was transferred to Kinshasa's central prison.
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