The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of publishers, editors and journalists, reiterates its call on authorities in Burundi to release Rwanda-based journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison earlier this month, and drop charges against her.
Authorities in Burundi, instead of stifling the work of journalists, must respect press freedom as a fundamental component of democracy.
According to , an online media house, Irangabiye has been assaulted in prison. Her family and colleagues have said they fear for her life and safety.
Irangabiye, a Burundian national based in Rwanda, was arrested by Burundi intelligence personnel in the capital Bujumbura on August 30, 2022. On January 3, 2023, Irangabiye was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million Burundi francs (about 450,000 euro) by a court, the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Mukaza, in Bujumbura.
Sources close to Irangabiye鈥檚 defence team confirmed to IPI that Irangabiye was on charges of attempting to 鈥渦ndermine national territorial integrity鈥� based on Article 611 of the Burundian Penal Code. Her legal team rejected the accusation as unclear and unfounded and said they would appeal the court decision.
A source, under the condition of anonymity, told IPI that the prosecution was unable to present any evidence “except” for a program in which Floriane Irangabiye hosted Bob Ruguruka, an of an independent and privately owned radio, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), who is sought by Burundi because of his media work and commitment for the defence of fundamental human rights. In the middle of Irangabiye鈥檚 hearing, on December 16, 2022, the prosecutor accused her of having hosted Ruguruka.
The Burundian Ministry of Justice, in a post, said that Irangabiye, who is based in Rwanda, wasn鈥檛 able to present a press accreditation or card. However, she was not in the country at the time as a journalist nor is her media outlet based in Burundi.
For Irangabiye鈥檚 defence team, there is no evidence of the offense. They said that authorities have been using article 611 of the penal code as a kind of catch-all for anyone deemed troublesome. “We have asked for proof of these charges, but we have been told that they are still looking for it鈥欌��, her legal counsel told IPI.
鈥樷�橝uthorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Floriane Irangabiye, stop the legal harassment of journalists and dissident voices鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淏urundian authorities should also be held accountable for Irangabiye鈥檚 safety during her time unjustly spent behind bars.鈥�