Jean-Marc Kabund faces a three-year prison sentence. The public prosecutor requested this sentence against him, accusing him of contempt of the Head of State, of spreading false rumors to arouse the population and of contempt of the institutions of the Republic. Currently under house arrest in Makala, Jean-Marc Kabund denounces a political trial orchestrated by President Tshisekedi who would have badly digested his criticisms. His defense asks for his acquittal, saying that no element constituting offenses weighs on him.
The case comes at a time when Congo is preparing for general elections scheduled for December 20. For some, the judgment reserved for Kabund is a political decision on the part of President Tshisekedi, who would find it difficult to accept the criticisms of the man of change. Kabund’s lawyer and several members of his party believe that this trial aims to discredit him, because he dared to express his opinion on the danger that the president represents for the country.
It is important to emphasize that the presumption of innocence must be respected in this case, and that only the judgment of the court will determine the guilt or innocence of Jean-Marc Kabund. Nevertheless, this affair highlights the political stakes and the tensions which weigh on the country with the approach of the general elections. It is essential that the judicial process be fair and impartial, in order to guarantee public confidence in the rule of law.
It is to be hoped that this trial will establish the truth and clarify the accusations against Jean-Marc Kabund. As citizens, it is our responsibility to follow this case carefully and to ensure that everyone’s fundamental rights are respected