DRC: Two journalists face legal harassment in Tshikapa
On 14 February 2004, the Tshikapa Tribunal's Prosecutor's Office requested a 12-month prison sentence with no parole against Roger Salomon Lulemba Kiabululu, a correspondent with the Kinshasa-based weekly "L'Eveil". Lulemba was earlier charged with "defamation" against diamond entrepreneur Shamwenze Mwahindji. Tshikapa is the second largest city in West Kasai province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's central region. In its 3 October 2003 edition, "L'Eveil" newspaper published an article written by Lulemba in which he reported on a conflict in the village of Mutshima between soldiers in the pay of Mwahindji and a group of young people commonly referred to as the "red army". Mutshima is located 110 kilometres from Tshikapa, near the Angolan border.
Two journalists face legal harassment in Tshikapa
SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa
(JED/IFEX) - On 14 February 2004, the Tshikapa Tribunal's Prosecutor's
Office requested a 12-month prison sentence with no parole against Roger
Salomon Lulemba Kiabululu, a correspondent with the Kinshasa-based weekly
"L'Eveil". Lulemba was earlier charged with "defamation" against diamond
entrepreneur Shamwenze Mwahindji. Tshikapa is the second largest city in
West Kasai province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo's central region.
In its 3 October 2003 edition, "L'Eveil" newspaper published an article
written by Lulemba in which he reported on a conflict in the village of
Mutshima between soldiers in the pay of Mwahindji and a group of young
people commonly referred to as the "red army". Mutshima is located 110
kilometres from Tshikapa, near the Angolan border.
Following seven public hearings, the court recessed on 14 February. A
decision in the case is to be announced at a later date. The journalist is
being represented by lawyer Jean-Marie Mamba Kanku.
In addition, in a separate case in Tshikapa, Casimir Twite, a correspondent
for the Kinshasa-based newspaper "L'Alerte", was summoned on 26 February to
appear before the Luebo High Court to face a charge of "defamation" brought
by court bailiff Ignace Mulumba Nkoshi. The Luebo court is sitting in
Tshikapa.
In an article that appeared in the 17 February edition of "L'Alerte" (issue
207), Twite reported on a case of influence peddling involving the bailiff.
The first public hearing in the case is scheduled to get underway at the
Luebo High Court on 9 March at 9:00 a.m. (local time). Mulumba Nkoshi is
seeking US$10,000 in damages and interest.
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-congo.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
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