DRC: prisoners raped in Lubumbashi describe horror during trial
Photo of Kasapa prison in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
© Sonia Rolley / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
More than a year after the rapes suffered by twenty women detained at Kasapa prison in Lubumbashi, the trial is continuing.
On Monday, December 13, the 20 plaintiffs were confronted with defendants accused not only of rape but also of arson and attempted escape.
They risk more than 20 years in prison.
These women detainees were raped during a prisoner uprising on the night of September 25 to 26, 2020.
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With our correspondent in Lubumbashi,
Denise Maheho
It was under an avocado tree, in the courtyard of Kasapa prison, that the hearing opened on Monday.
It is 12 o'clock.
Of the 20 complainants
, 17 are physically present, all veiled and identified by a number for security reasons.
They are assisted by their lawyers.
One of them, "number 17", a baby of almost 4 months in her hands, goes to court.
“
I had this baby following the rape,
” she testifies.
“
I was abused by several prisoners.
My child will not know his daddy,
”she adds, before bursting into tears.
► To read also: DRC: the forgotten victims of the rapes committed in the prison of Lubumbashi
The alleged perpetrators deny and speak of a "montage"
Another poignant testimony: that of a minor of around 17 years old, “number 8”.
She recounts what happened to her: “
On the evening of September 25, 2020, when riots broke out, I found myself in front of three prisoners.
They all raped me, one of them threatened me with a machete.
Then she points to the three alleged perpetrators among the accused.
Each complainant subsequently confirmed in court that she had been abused by several prisoners.
Impassive, the alleged perpetrators reject everything altogether.
Smiling for the most part, they say "
it's a montage
".
The next hearing is set for Monday, December 20.
It will be devoted to the prosecution's indictment and to the pleading.
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