By Daniel Itai.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (News Of The South) – International human rights organisation, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa Deprose Muchena has castigated the Tanzanian Judicial system for charging investigative journalist Erick Kabendera fines amounting to US$118 110 for his freedom.
Last year, Erick Kabendera was sentenced to a three month jail term or the option of a fine, equivalent to US$74 110, on two counts of failure to pay tax, and another US$44 000 for money laundering.
“While we welcome news that Kabendera is out of prison close to seven months later, it is outrageous that he had to pay such a hefty fine to gain his freedom after having been unjustly jailed for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Kabendera’s mother died while he was in custody shortly after she was filmed pleading with President John Magufuli to let her son free. He has already suffered so much simply for doing his job and should have been released unconditionally.
Tanzania must stop misusing laws to violate people’s rights to liberty, freedom of expression and information, peaceful assembly and association. The country must publicly commit to ensuring that everyone can freely exercise all their human rights and stop the politically motivated persecution of dissidents and journalists like Erick Kabendera,” said Muchena.
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