JED has learned that a Congolese journalist held illegally for three days has been released.

Jean Moleki, publisher of the independent Kinshasa-based newspaper Le Fax, was released on 19 November 2012 after paying "bail" of US$500.

Moleki was arrested by four plainclothes men on motorbike a few metres from his home on 16 November, at about 8:00 local time. He was then forced into a nearby jeep and taken to Kinshasa's High Court in the Gombe district of the capital, where he was questioned about an article denouncing the embezzlement of public funds at the Ministry for Youth, Sports and Recreation. Moleki was remanded in custody immediately following the hearing.

In its 13 November edition, Le Fax published an article which accused the minister, Baudouin Banza Mukalay Sungu, of having misappropriated funds destined for the national team's travel, according to JED sources.

Moleki told JED that he had never received a summons nor had he seen an arrest warrant until he was forced into the jeep.

The plaintiff has withdrawn his complaint, according to JED sources.

JED strongly denounces this illegal detention of the journalist.

(Please note that this is an abridged translation.)