Dar es Salaam (AFP)
Tanzanian investigative journalist Erick Kabendera, whose detention for seven months has aroused strong international disapproval, was released on Monday after pleading guilty to economic crimes.
Mr. Kabendera works for national and foreign media, such as The East African, headquartered in Kenya. He has published several critical analyzes of President John Magufuli's economic and political life in Tanzania.
He was first detained for questioning on his nationality before the charges were turned into sedition. Then the charges were dropped and ultimately Mr. Kabendera was charged in August 2019 with economic crimes and money laundering.
He has since been detained and his trial has been postponed 11 times. He had even been refused to attend his mother's funeral in January.
The arrest and prosecution of this renowned freelance journalist have been seen by many observers as the erosion of press freedom in Tanzania since the election of Mr. Magufuli in late 2015.
Kabendera pleaded guilty to money laundering and non-payment of 173 million shillings (69,000 euros) in taxes.
He was released after paying a fine of 250,000 shillings (100 euros) for failing to pay taxes, but still has to pay a fine of 100 million shillings (39,933 euros) for money laundering.
The reporter said he "appreciates everyone's support".
"I went through difficult times and finally I am free. I did not expect it but I am grateful for all the support," he said.
His lawyer Jebra Kambole clarified that the remaining fine would be paid in several installments.
The United States and Britain denounced the "slow erosion" of rights in Tanzania, citing the example of Mr. Kabendera.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which ranks Mr. Magufuli's Tanzania as a predator of press freedom, and Amnesty International, among others, have called for the release of Mr. Kabendera.
Since the election of Mr. Magufuli, meetings of opposition parties have been banned, opposition officials arrested and prosecuted, closed newspapers, and journalists and artists molested or threatened with death, after criticizing the government.
Dubbed the "bulldozer," Magufuli shut down newspapers, banned opposition rallies, ended live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions, and used cybercrime law to imprison critics.
© 2020 AFP