The Administrative Court of Bujumbura has adjourned for June 24 the public hearing of the trial opposing the Radio Without Borders ‘Bonesha FM’ and Burundi Media Regulator-CNC that was scheduled for 27 May 2019.
Léon Masengo, Director of Bonesha FM: “The certificate of non-prosecution is not mentioned anywhere among the documents required to apply for authorization to set up a radio station”
CNC defense lawyer has not brought the complete file about the trial. “We note that CNC did not communicate with its defense lawyer as he was not well equipped for this trial,” says Léon Masengo, Director of Bonesha FM radio.
The officials of Bonesha FM had asked CNC the permission to operate again in Burundi after the destruction of this radio station on May 14, 2015.
Radio Isanganiro, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), Rema FM and Radio-Télévision Renaissance were also destroyed by unidentified individuals after an attempted coup of 13 May 2015.
In a statement issued on February 23, 2018, CNC said the file submitted by Bonesha FM complied with the Burundian press law but the latter had to submit the certificate of non-prosecution.
“Surprisingly, CNC demanded us to present the certificate of non-prosecution which is not mentioned anywhere among the documents required to be authorized to set up a radio station,” says Masengo.
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