In a move condemned by press freedom advocates, Sandra Muhoza, a journalist for the online site La Nova Burundi, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison by the High Court of Mukaza in Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital. The court, delivering its verdict on Monday, found her guilty of “undermining the integrity of the national territory” and “racial aversion,” according to local media reports.
“After five days of agonizing wait, the High Court of Mukaza finally delivered its verdict. To our surprise, at around 2:30 PM, Sandra Muhoza was sentenced to 18 months in prison for undermining the integrity of the national territory and an additional three months for racial aversion,” her lawyer, Prosper Niyoyankana, said according to local news outlet Iwacu.
Expressing disappointment, Niyoyankana said: “We had hoped she would be acquitted and that the judges would uphold the law. It is clear that the judge was not independent and acted under pressure.”
The verdict has drawn international criticism. “Sandra Muhoza’s heavy sentence is yet another extreme measure against journalists as the country approaches legislative and communal elections,” said Sadibou Marong, Director of Reporters without Borders’ Sub-Saharan Africa Desk. “There is little doubt this is a politically motivated decision, given the charges stem from information implicating the ruling party,” he added, calling for her immediate release.
Muhoza has been in detention since April 2024. Reports indicate that her arrest stemmed from comments she allegedly made in a WhatsApp group of journalists about allegations of weapon distribution to youth members of the ruling party CNDD-FDD.
Muhoza is the second female journalist in less than two years to face severe punishment in Burundi. In January 2023, Floriane Irangabiye, a host on Igicaniro radio, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “undermining the integrity of Burundi’s national territory.” Irangabiye, who was arrested on August 30, 2022, faced charges stemming from her reported criticism of the government on the Rwanda-based platform she co-founded. She was granted a presidential pardon in August 2024 following mounting international pressure.
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