Republican President Fèlix Tshisekedi has promised to personally follow up on the case involving journalist Stanis Bujakera who has been detained by authorities at the Makala central prison since September 14, 2023.
Speaking on Thursday night at a press conference, Tshisekedi described the unlawfully extended incaceration of Bujakera as a result of dysfunctional Congolese justice system, which he described as “sick” with regard to the processing of cases.
“Just today I asked about this problem again. As I said earlier, our justice system gives me a lot of worry. It is sick even in processing files. I believe that he [Bujakera] is a victim of that,” Tshisekedi said in responding to a question from journalist Jean-Marie Kasamba.
“Because of their procrastination, perhaps this young man is rotting in prison and I decided to stick my nose at least once into this justice to find out more tomorrow. And I will make whatever decision needs to be made.”
Bujakera has been accused of spreading falsehoods against the Congolese Intelligence Agency (ANR) for carrying out the assassination of former Transport Minister and opposition leader Moïse Katumbi’s spokesperson Chérubin Okende.
The charges leveled against Bujakera include “spreading false rumors”, “forgery”, “falsifying state seals” and “transmitting erroneous messages contrary to the law”, charges that defendant has denied.
