BURUNDI: Director of a private radio station in Burundi detained over suspected coup plot reports

Record ID: 453811

  • Title: BURUNDI: Director of a private radio station in Burundi detained over suspected coup plot reports
  • Date: 1st December 2006
  • Summary: (AD1) BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI (NOVEMBER 29, 2006)(REUTERS) POLICE VAN ARRIVING IN FRONT OF LAW COURT POLICEMEN WAITING NEAR LAW COURT JOURNALISTS WAITING IN FRONT OF LAW COURT (SOUNDBITE)(French) GERARD NZOHABONA, PRESIDENT, JOURNALISTS UNION OF BURUNDI, SAYING: "And the same violation of the law is going on, because in all logic, one can only go to jail if one has been heard by the judge.". (SOUNDBITE)(French) RAPHAEL GAHUNGU, LAWYER OF DETAINED JOURNALIST MATHIAS MANIRAKIZA, SAYING: "It's a sorry sight, because we are supposed to be in democratic country with an elected power (government) So either you advocate the principles from Lincoln, a people's government for the people, but if you start conducting such arbitrary arrests, it is very worrying." POLICE MATHIAS MANIRAKIZA, DETAINED JOURNALIST, WAITING TO BE CALLED BY THE JUDGE
  • Embargoed: 16th December 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Burundi
  • Country: Burundi
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA3T5NG5419L1QX9V73TPSP69LU
  • Story Text: A Burundi judge detained the director of a private radio station on Wednesday (November 29) on accusations its reports about a suspected coup plot threatened public order.
    The suspected coup plotters, including former president Domitien Ndayizeye, were arrested in August after police said they had strong evidence the men had planned to kill President Pierre Nkurunziza and seize control of the government.
    In the latest clash between the government and independent media covering the saga, Mathias Manirakiza of Radio Isanganiro was arrested and brought before a judge on Wednesday. Police blocked reporters from entering the courtroom.
    "It's a sorry sight, because we are supposed to be in democratic country with an elected power (government) So either you advocate the principles from Lincoln, a people's government for the people, but if you start conducting such arbitrary arrests, it is very worrying," Manirakiza's lawyer Raphael Gahungu told journalists.
    It was not clear if Manirakiza had formally been charged or when he would appear in court again.
    Two other journalists at another private radio station are in custody in connection with their reports on the coup plot.
    The seven suspected coup plotters, who have proclaimed their innocence, say the plot charges were invented to quash dissent.
    Diplomats say the alleged coup plot could destabilise Burundi, which is tasting peace for the first time in more than a decade after a civil war killed an estimated 300,000 people.
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