Democratic Republic of Congo journalist Stanis Bujakera was released from prison on Wednesday following a six-month sentence for forgery and spreading false rumors regarding the death of political opposition candidate Cherubin Okende. The rumors implied that a government intelligence agency was involved in the politician’s demise. The announcement of Bujakera’s release was made by his lawyer, Yana Ndikulu, in a statement to Reuters, which is also the journalist’s employer. Fellow DRC journalist, Patient Ligodi, also confirmed the news on a social media platform.
Bujakera was initially taken into pre-trial custody in September of the previous year, and was later sentenced to six months in jail besides a fine of one million Congolese Francs ($364). A hefty 20-year sentence was initially sought by the prosecutors, who eventually dropped their petition allowing the release of the journalist.
The journalist had been prosecuted under Article 211 of the DRC Penal Code, which restricts the intentional sharing of false news likely to disturb societal peace. The law, passed the previous year, disallows journalists from spreading false information via social networks and prescribes one to six-month-long prison term for violators. The arrest and imprisonment received widespread criticism from human rights groups, including Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International. Both organizations labeled the legal action a “travesty” and appealed to the Tshisekedi government for the release of Bujakera.
Jeune Afrique had published an article in August 2023, stating that Okende’s death was a murder case and implicating the DRC’s National Intelligence Agency. The news agency claimed having access to a confidential report that blamed military intelligence agents for the politician’s death. Despite these claims, Okende’s death was officially ruled as a suicide by prosecutors. There are yet unconfirmed reports that his body was found riddled with bullets. Bujakera was arrested post the publication of this report.