Dem. Rep. of Congo journalists complain of police abuse

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) – A journalists’ rights group is protesting the arrests and harassment of reporters during demonstrations in Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week.

''Eight journalists and media workers were victims of attacks and arrests by security forces during the violence that took place'' this Monday through Wednesday, said a statement issued by Journalists in Danger, known by its French acronym JED.

The group said that eight journalists were arrested on Monday morning, manhandled, stripped, beaten, and detained for several hours before being released, but not before their equipment, money, and phones were all taken.

It added that it had written to Evariste Boshab, the DRC’s deputy prime minister for the interior and security, calling on him to find the security officers involved in abusing journalists and punish them firmly.

According to JED, the journalists who were victimized include Sonia Rolley of Radio France Internationale (RFI), Agence France Presse (AFP) photojournalist Eduardo Soteras, TV 5’s Dady Songhozo and John Kinkendu, Dosta Lutula of Canal Congo Television (CCTV), Kevin Inana of La Prosperite daily, and Eliezer Thambwe and Dieumerci Makesela, both of Takomi Wapi magazine.

Police spokesman Ronnie Kayembe said the police regretted the arrests and that investigations will take place and those responsible will be punished.