Congo-Kinshasa: Wave of Detentions in West Kasai Province

press release

Kinshasa — Journaliste en danger (JED) is concerned by the recent wave of harassment of journalists by National Intelligence Agency (Agence Nationale des Renseignements, ANR) officials in Tshimbulu, a town located 120 km from Kananga, the main city in West Kasai province (central DRC).

JED has learned that Radio Moyo FM journalist André Kabasele was detained at the local ANR bureau on 2 April 2012. He was accused of "insulting local authorities" during the 30 March broadcast of his radio programme. He had called on local authorities to re-establish the peace in a Tshimbulu neighbourhood. After being interrogated at length about his programme, Kabasele was formally arrested. His release was conditioned on payment of a 7,500 Congolese franc fine (approx. US$8). The journalist was forced to surrender his identity card as he could not pay the fine.

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