Pierre Claver Mbonimpa released provisionally

After about four months of detention Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, accused of spreading information that can endanger state security, is released by the Tribunal of FIRST instance of Bujumbura on the condition that he does not leave Bujumbura City.-By Lorraine Josiane Manishatse

Pierre Claver Mbonimpa in Bumerec Hospital ©Iwacu

The Tribunal of first instance of Bujumbura has decided to provisionally release Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, head of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detained Persons (APRODEH). However, he is obliged to stay in Bujumbura City, not crossing the city borders without the judge’s permission. He is also asked to appear before the judiciary if need be.

Fabien Segatwa, one of Mbonimpa’s lawyers, considers the conditions required by the court as normal measures that usually accompany a provisory release. “They have mentioned that if he wants to travel or cross the border, he should ask the permission”, he explains.
He indicates that, generally, those temporary measures are alleviated as time goes on.
As far as Mbonimpa is concerned, he points out that even though he is temporally released, he remains in Bumerec Hospital following a prescribed medical treatment until the doctor is satisfied with his disease evolution.