DRC: death of young Olivier Mpunga in intelligence offices arouses outrage
Security forces deployed near the Congolese Parliament, Kinshasa, December 10, 2020 © RFI / Pascal Mulegwa
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Images of the victim, the only son of a widow, are circulating on social networks.
His mother demands justice.
Splashed by this scandal, the authorities announce the arrest of the police officers suspected in this affair.
Civil society organizations demand the dismissal of the most senior police officials.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Pascal Mulegwa
Olivier Mpunga Tshibanda in boxer shorts, shirtless, tied up, beaten is then led to a courtyard.
Then nothing.
These images filmed by his executioners bear witness to the cruelty of which he was the victim.
It is in the night from Friday to Saturday that we learn of his death, several hours after his arrest.
The video circulating on social networks identified at least two general intelligence officers.
These images caused an outcry on the internet, forcing the authorities to react.
According to the general police station, this is an “
isolated
act that
does not
involve the
whole body
”.
The suspects were "
apprehended and brought before the prosecution
", according to the top hierarchy of the Congolese police.
Arrested for a minor offense
The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office said it was "
very shocked and concerned by the use of torture and ill-treatment in reverse of the commitment of the police authorities to fight against serious human rights violations
".
The boss of this body, Abdoul Aziz Thioye, assured RFI to follow
this issue
"
very closely
".
He pleaded for "
diligent and expeditious
"
treatment
.
There is "
nothing more disturbing than losing a 32-year-old,
" reacted Patrick Muyaya, the government spokesman.
According to this authority, the alleged perpetrators will be "
judged in flagrante delicto so that it serves as an example
."
According to several security sources, the victim was arrested for a common law offense, a breach of trust for having pledged a car belonging to one of his relatives.
A case which illustrates the persistence of unconventional practices despite the commitment of the authorities.
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