The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today backed the call by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) for the release of journalist Jean Claude Kavumbagu whose trial for treason and defaming the Burundian army was heard for the first time on Wednesday 13 April in the capital, Bujumbura. Prosecutors are requesting life imprisonment if the journalist is found guilty but he denies all the charges.

Charges against Kavumbagu, editor of online news agency Net Press, were brought following an article he posted on 12 July 2010 about the state of readiness of Burundian security forces to protect the country from potential attacks of the Somali militia group, Al Shabaab, which had struck the Ugandan capital, Kampala, in early July. Uganda and Burundi have sent troops to Somalia as part of the African Union peace keeping mission in the country.

During yesterday hearing, defence lawyers told the court that the charge of treason has no basis since, as it is provided for under the country’s constitution; Burundi was not at war. They also dismissed the grounds for defamation, saying the offence does not apply to public bodies such the army or the security forces.

“It is now painfully obvious that the charges against Kavumbagu lack substance and credibility and must be dismissed forthwith,” said Omar Faruk Osman, FAJ President. “Nothing will make up for his suffering and the deprivation of his liberty for nine long months but our colleague has no case to answer and must be set free immediately.”

The IFJ says that the prosecution of the journalist has shown that the justice system in Burundi lacks independence and that the authorities must take urgent remedial action to avoid bringing the country’s standing into disrepute.

“Legal proceedings against Jean Claude Kavumbagu are totally manipulation of the justice to inflict harsh punishment on our colleague. This is an embarrassment that flies in the face of justice and shows the keenness of Burundian authorities to punish the journalist without tangible evidence and thus violate freedom of the press and expression,” said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.

The IFJ supports the campaign waged by its African group FAJ and the regional organisation EAJA to secure justice and the release of Kavumbagu.

“The prosecution of Jean Claude Kavumbagu is a blatant denial of his right to press freedom for political considerations,” said Dr Muheldin Ahmed Idris, EAJA President. “This must end and we are committed to securing justice and freedom for our colleague.”

For more information contact the IFJ at   +221 33 867 95 86/87  

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 131 countries worldwide