DRC: François Beya obtains a provisional release for health reasons

François Beya (our photo), former special adviser to President Félix Tshisekedi on security, obtained a provisional release on August 16, 2022 for health reasons.

© High Court Communications Service

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The High Military Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo granted provisional release on Tuesday, August 16 to François Beya Kasonga, the former "Monsieur security" of President Félix Tshisekedi.

After more than six months in detention, the former strongman of the regime, prosecuted in particular for "conspiracy and offense" against the president, obtains this provisional release to seek treatment, at home or abroad.

Military judges justify their decision on humanitarian grounds.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa,

The judges of the High Military Court issued the judgment after a substantive debate on the state of health of François Beya.

The medical team, appointed by the court, had examined the former special adviser outside

.

The results were alarming, experts say.

Before the judges and the military prosecutor, they had judged his state of health to be worrying.

Urgent treatment was then recommended.

On Tuesday August 16, the prosecutor did not oppose the request when the judges took the case under advisement.

However, he hopes that

will not be delayed.

This provisional release is subject to three conditions that François Beya must absolutely respect.

He is, for example, prohibited from making statements likely to disturb public order.

The court also asks the former head of national security to participate in all hearings and prohibits him from leaving the country without notifying the judges.

“There will be no hindrance, on the part of Mr. François Beya, as to the smooth running of the trial.

»

DRC: Me Jeannot Bukoko reacts to the provisional release of François Beya for health reasons

Pascal Mulegwa

The defense of François Beya had

who had opened the trial, because their requests for provisional release were systematically rejected.

A glimmer of hope and relaxation appeared with the appointment of new judges, responsible for ruling on the case.

Francois Beya

, 67, is on trial along with his private secretary, two colonels and a senior senior police commissioner.

They are all prosecuted for "conspiracy and offense against the person of the Head of State", "violation of instructions" or "incitement of the soldiers to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline".

The new judges refused release to the other co-defendants, for lack of medical evidence.

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