The alarm call from a Mozambican human rights organization. A Rwandan journalist seeking asylum in this country is said to be threatened with extradition to Rwanda.
Cassien Ntamuhanga has been missing since May 23. He was co-accused by star singer Kizito Mihigo, who has since died in dark conditions in prison. The former director of the confessing radio station Amazing Grace had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for “forming a criminal group”, “conspiracy against the government or the president of the republic”, “complicity in terrorism” and “conspiracy to commit murder.” A very wrong trial, in particular of Reporters Without Borders.
According to Professor Adriano Nuvunga, Head of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Mozambique, Cassien Ntamuhanga was arrested by the police and handed over to the Rwandan Embassy in Maputo. He calls on his government to put an end to this illegal extradition.
“It was done without transparency, without the police leaving any account. There is no indication that there is an arrest warrant issued by a judge to arrest this Rwandan citizen of Mozambique. And that makes it even more complicated that he was transferred to the Rwandan embassy. Embassies should not be turned into prisons. But in this case, we see that this embassy is beginning to be used to imprison the citizens. The government, the Mozambican state, should not facilitate this type of process. We condemn him for that. In particular, there is also no guarantee as to how he will be treated when he returns to Rwanda, under such conditions. We’re worried. We call on the Mozambican authorities to stop facilitating this extradition. And it should start with preventing the illegal extradition of this journalist. “
► Read also: Trial of Kizito Mihigo: Appearance of Cassien Ntamuhanga
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