In Benin, the opponent Reckya Madougou was detained by the court for repression of economic crimes and terrorism on the Chancellery’s decision? In any case, a judge in this court condemns the repression of economic crimes and terrorism.
Essowé Batamoussi testifies at RFI. This magistrate, a member of the Criet of Freedoms and Detention, has just resigned from the court. He fled Benin for fear of reprisals, he said. He claims that the court has received “instructions” from the political power, that it is not independent.
All the decisions we have had to make have been under pressure. I will therefore quote the last one, the one who saw the location of Reckya Madougou, in custody. In this case, we were contacted by the Chancellery, as the file did not contain any element that could decide us to detain her. It was not the first time. There have been a lot of files where we have received instructions from the chancellery.
Essowé Batamoussi, Magistrate, Member of the Criet Chamber of Liberties and Detention Centers
At the request of RFI, the government did not want to speak at the moment.
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