DRC: Editor released after 21 days
On 10 July 2004, the Butembo High Court granted Nicaise Kibel-Bel-Oka, publisher and editor of the Beni-based newspaper "Les Coulisses", a temporary release. The journalist had been detained at the Beni central prison for 21 days. Beni is located in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. On 19 June, a Beni court sentenced Kibel-Bel-Oka to six months in prison and payment of US$5,000 in damages for defamation against Jean-Jacques Kiangu, a high-profile businessman in that part of the country.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
15 July 2004
Editor of "Les Coulisses" newspaper granted temporary release after 21 days
in detention
SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa
**Updates IFEX alerts of 21 June, 2 April and 26 March 2004**
(JED/IFEX) - On 10 July 2004, the Butembo High Court granted Nicaise
Kibel-Bel-Oka, publisher and editor of the Beni-based newspaper "Les
Coulisses", a temporary release. The journalist had been detained at the
Beni central prison for 21 days. Kibel-Bel-Oka told JED that he paid US$200
in bail. Beni is located in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic
of Congo.
The court also agreed to hear Kibel-Bel-Oka's appeal of his earlier
sentence. The first hearing was scheduled for 6 August.
BACKGROUND:
On 19 June, a Beni court sentenced Kibel-Bel-Oka to six months in prison and
payment of US$5,000 in damages for defamation against Jean-Jacques Kiangu, a
high-profile businessman in that part of the country. After the verdict was
read, the journalist was taken directly to Beni central prison.
"Les Coulisses" published an article in its 25 November to 10 December 2003
edition (issue 133), in which it accused Kiangu of defrauding the customs
services through his alleged involvement in the disappearance of a truckload
of merchandise from Uganda and of making a false customs declaration
concerning oil imports. The newspaper reportedly claimed that the scheme
defrauded the Congolese Revenue Department of at least US$2,000 in taxes.
For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste
en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel:
+243 99 29 323/+243 81513 05 85, fax: +243 88 01 625, e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected], Internet:
http://www.jed-afcentre.org
The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of
JED. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
JED.
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