Jean-Claude Kavumbagu

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Jean-Claude Kavumbagu
NationalityBurundian
Occupationjournalist
Known fordissident reporting

Jean-Claude Kavumbagu is a

Internet journalist who has been arrested on multiple occasions for issues related to his reporting. In 2011, he was charged with treason in a high-profile trial and named a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.[1]

Olympics scandal and arrest

Kavumbagu is director of the Burundian

International PEN protested his arrest and called for his immediate release.[3][4][5] Kavumbagu was cleared by a court in March 2009 and released from prison.[6] However, the prosecutor appealed the case, and as of July 2010, it remains open.[7]

Bombing response and second trial

On 11 July 2010,

Front Line.[8] A number of journalism and press freedom organizations have called for the charges against Kavumbagu to be dropped, including the Committee to Protect Journalists,[9] the International Federation of Journalists,[10] International PEN,[11] the Federation of African Journalists,[10] the Eastern Africa Journalists Association,[10] and Reporters Without Borders.[12]

In November 2010, Kavumbagu was denied a request for bail, and was housed with violent offenders.[13] On 13 April 2011, the trial's prosecutor announced his intention to seek a life sentence.[14] On 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, around 100 Burundian journalists marched into Bujumbura to demonstrate support for Kavumbagu.[15]

On 13 May, Kavumbagu was acquitted of treason, but found guilty on the charge of publishing an article "likely to discredit the state or economy".[16] He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and released for time served.[16] Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists protested the verdict, the latter reiterating its belief that "Burundi should decriminalize press offenses and allow journalists to speak and write freely without fear of harassment or arrest".[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Burundi: Demand release of online editor: Jean-Claude Kavumbagu". Amnesty International. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  2. ^ Net Press website
  3. ^ a b c "Burundi: Arbitrary arrest: Jean-Claude Kavumbagu". Amnesty International. 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. ^ "Jailed Burundian journalist acquitted; two others arrested". Committee to Protect Journalists. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  5. International PEN. Archived from the original
    on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Burundi frees editor held for defaming president". Reuters. 18 March 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2011..
  7. ^ a b "Burundi: Free Journalist Detained on Treason Charges". Human Rights Watch. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  8. Front Line. 20 July 2010. Archived from the original
    on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  9. ^ Joel Simon (11 April 2011). "Burundi must free Kavumbagu, halt flawed prosecution". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "IFJ Joins Call for Release of Journalist On Treason Charges". International Federation of Journalists. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  11. International PEN. Archived from the original
    on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Prosecutor requests life imprisonment for online newspaper editor". Reporters Without Borders. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  13. ^ "Burundi seeks life sentence for Kavumbagu". Committee to Protect Journalists. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  14. ^ "Burundi demands life sentence against journalist". Reuters. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  15. ^ "Burundi journalists demonstrate for freedom". Agence France-Presse. 3 May 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  16. ^ a b c "Burundi: Journalist Acquitted of Treason Charges". Human Rights Watch. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
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