Striking images of the deputy publishing director of Actualite.cd, correspondent for Jeune Afrique and Reuters, in detention at Makala prison. The photos bear witness to his isolation, alone in a room in Pavilion 1, with no means of communication with the outside world. His group of lawyers, determined to ensure his safety, appealed the decision of the Kinshasa-Gombe peace court, which maintains his detention for an additional 15 days, renewable for investigation purposes.
The lawyers also visited Makala prison to obtain the detainee’s power of attorney and check the conditions of his detention. They express their fears about his safety, highlighting the prisoner’s distance from other detainees and his inability to alert in the event of possible problems. The prison authorities, however, affirm that these measures were taken to ensure his safety.
However, the Next Corp group continues to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the deputy publishing director. They insist he has committed no crime and should be treated with dignity. The detainee’s precarious situation raises questions about press rights and freedom of expression in general.
This episode highlights the challenges journalists face in their quest to inform and report the news. The unjust detention and precarious working conditions faced by many journalists highlight the importance of protecting press freedom and ensuring safe working conditions for media professionals.
The battle for the release of the deputy publishing director of Actualite.cd is ongoing. Lawyers continue to fight for his release and to end his isolation and the uncertainty that weighs on him. The detainee’s resilience and courage remain unwavering, but it is essential that the international community remains vigilant and mobilized to defend press freedom and support unjustly imprisoned journalists.