This Friday morning, the Bubanza province prosecutor has taken the decision to remove Iwacu news reporters from the Bubanza police custody to the communal dungeon. Their lawyer was ready to assist them but the prosecutor said “he did not have time to listen to them”. The motives behind their arrest are still unknown.
Iwacu news reporters detained in Bubanza communal dungeon
Agnès Ndirubusa, Christine Kamikazi, Egide Harerimana, Térence Mpozenzi and their driver Adolphe Masabarakiza were arrested on Tuesday October 22nd, in Musigati commune of Bubanza province when they were trying to get information on heavy gunfire that was heard at dawn of October 22.
Frédéric Nahimana, Minister of Media and Communication says the case of the four news reporters of Iwacu Press Group and their driver is being investigated “There is need to give time to juridical officials to conduct the investigation for more details”, he says.
According to him, Burundi constitution guarantees the press freedom and allows journalists to have access to information anywhere in the country. He adds that Articles 45, 46 and 56 of the press law focus on how journalists should look for information throughout the country. Mr. Nahimana says the same law also gives limits. “Burundian laws allow the security forces to look for information wherever they suspect any possible destabilization of the security”, he concludes.
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