- Title: Congo opposition leader wants protection if he returns home
- Date: 2nd June 2017
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 2, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL CONGO OPPOSITION LEADER MOISE KATUMBI WALKS INTO NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM KATUMBI WITH HIS LAWYER ERIC DUPOND-MORETTI (LEFT OF IMAGE) DURING NEWS BRIEFING KATUMBI PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONGO OPPOSITION LEADER MOISE KATUMBI SAYING: "If today I am lodging this complaint with the U.N. Human Rights Committee in Geneva, and I have appointed a lawyer, it is because I am a man of peace. I am a man of peace. I know I haven't done anything wrong, and I am absolutely convinced that I will be able to go back home, because I haven't done anything wrong, and I am still a candidate." NEWS BRIEFING ONGOING PICTURE OF CHRIST ON DESK (SOUNDBITE) (French) CONGO OPPOSITION LEADER MOISE KATUMBI SAYING: "For Kabila, Moise Katumbi needs to be kept out of the country when the elections happen. Because he knows very well that if we go into an election, I am sure and certain that I am going to win to bring change to my country." PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (French) KATUMBI'S LAWYER ERIC DUPOND-MORETTI SAYING: "The Committee we have lodged a complaint with can ask the (Congolese) State to ensure Moise Katumbi's protection. But, it would sound very random and would not have us feel very safe to be asking Mr Kabila to ensure Mr Katumbi's protection, given what Mr Katumbi has been through when he was still there. However, as soon as the committee makes this recommendation, we can turn to the MINUSCO for instance, or other institutions to ensure the physical protection of President Katumbi and allow him to go back to his country and participate in the elections." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (French) KATUMBI'S LAWYER ERIC DUPOND-MORETTI SAYING: "We know with certainty that if Moise Katumbi returns to his country without protection he is going to his death." NEWS BRIEFING ONGOING SIGN READING "INTERCONTINENTAL GENEVE"
- Embargoed: 16th June 2017 21:34
- Keywords: Democratic Republic of Congo Geneva Politics human rights U.N. Moise Katumbi Congo
- Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Topics: Fundamental Rights/Civil Liberties,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016JL7KG7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Congolese opposition leader Moise Katumbi filed a legal complaint with the U.N. Human Rights Committee on Friday (June 2), in hope of getting international protection if he returns to run in a future presidential election.
The multi-millionaire businessman has been abroad since he was accused of plotting against the state a year ago, and has repeatedly vowed to return home. Last year he was convicted of real estate fraud and sentenced to three years in prison in absentia. He dismissed the verdict as politically motivated.
"President (Joseph) Kabila is going to organise elections without Moise Katumbi," he told Reuters.
"Despite the risk I have to go back because I'm a candidate and I will remain one. If the (election) timetable begins I have to back."
Any return would heighten political tensions in Democratic Republic of Congo where opposition groups say Kabila is trying to cling to power by cracking down on dissent and delaying the vote.
The government has repeatedly dismissed his allegations that his safety is at risk in Congo and has called on him to return to the country to answer for the charges against him.
A government spokesman was not immediately available for comment. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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