DR Congo Deputy Prime Minister for Economics Vital Kamerhe hsays he supports detained journalist and Reuters correspondent Stanis Bujakera revealing the scribe would be released before the December 20, 2023 General Elections.
Bujakera has been in the custody of authorities since 8th September when he was arrested at Ndjili International Airport in Kinshasa on accusations of publishing falsehoods in an article about the circumstances of the death of former Transport Minister Cherubin Okende who was assassinated in Kinshasa on July 13.
Speaking in an interview with the Reuters in New York, United States on Wednesday, Kamerhe said Bujakera had his backing but declined to comment on the ongoing trial.
“Stanis Bujakera is a professional journalist and he has my support. But I cannot say anything about the processes in justice in my country,” Kamerhe told the Reuters NEXT conference in New York.
After several denied requests for his provisional release, Kamerhe expressed confidence Bujakera would be released before the DRC holds its elections in next month.
Kamerhe however told journalists in New York that government would not interfere in Bujakera’s trial.