Congo-Kinshasa: Journalist Sentenced to One-Year Prison Term And Fined for Making "Damaging Allegations"
Journaliste En Danger (Kinshasa)
PRESS RELEASE
14 February 2008
Posted to the web 14 February 2008
On 12 February 2008, Justin Kabasele, a journalist with Radio-Télévision Kasaï Horizons (KHRT), a privately-owned broadcaster based in Mwene-Ditu, the second largest city of eastern Kasaï province (central DR Congo) was sentenced to a one-year prison term and a 750,000 CF (approx. US$1,400) fine for making "damaging allegations" by a Mwene-Ditu court.
On 15 May 2007, in a programme about manners called "Kashiba Ntota" (Alarm), Kabasele accused a Mwene-Ditu official of having extra-marital relationships.
The journalist has not been detained for the moment, and his lawyers have appealed the court's decision.