DRC: two Lucha figures, arrested Saturday, and released overnight
It's the end of detention for civil society figures Bienvenu Matumo and Freud Bauma after two nights spent in the cell of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR). The two pro-democracy activists as well as 5 other people were arrested on Saturday February 3 during a demonstration commemorating the 600 days of occupation of the town of Bunagana by the M23 rebels in the east of the country.
Soldiers of the Congolese army in the streets of Bunagana in April 2022. The two Lucha activists, as well as 5 other people, were arrested on Saturday February 3, 2024 during a demonstration commemorating the 600 days of occupation of the town of Bunagana by M23 rebels in the east of the country. AFP - GUERCHOM NDEBO
By: RFI Follow
Advertisement
Read more
with our correspondent in Kinshasa,
Pascal Mulegwa
It was around 11 p.m. that Bienvenu Matumo and Fred Bauma left the premises of the ANR Internal Security department where they had just
spent two nights in detention
.
Both are long-time Lucha activists.
Fred Bauma
today heads the Congolese Ebuteli research institute;
Bienvenu Matumo
is pursuing his doctorate in France and was staying in Kinshasa for his research.
In the ANR premises, the two historical figures of this movement claim to have been questioned about a civil society meeting in which opponents had been associated last January. This was before the proclamation of the final results of the presidential election.
In the background, the authorities' fear of possible subversive activities in the capital.
Earlier on Monday, their lawyer Jean-Claude Katende was prohibited from entering the ANR premises to assist his clients. They did not have the right to a visit or legal assistance, according to their lawyer, who believes that the interrogation was carried out illegally.
Citizen movements denounced, yesterday in Kinshasa, “a climate of terror” and threats from the security services targeting activists of citizen movements. Some live in hiding, others have had to leave the country in recent days fearing for their safety.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
DRC