Deutsche Welle: Burundi-Correspondent set free in DR Congo – but concerns remain


Deutsche Welle (DW), Correspondent Antéditeste Niragira was released from prison by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo today. 

According to latest reports, the DW-journalist was brought to the Congolose-Burundian border by the DR Congo intelligence service ANR.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Head of Corporate Communications and Spokesperson of DW, Christoph Jumpelt. 

The statement which was copied to GBCONLINE said, " In a telephone interview with DW's Africa desk, the spokesman for the Burundian national police, Pierre Nkurikiye, confirmed: "Antéditeste Niragira is in good hands." Asked, what that means, he answered: "He is in good hands and tomorrow we will issue a press statement."

The statement said, earlier, a lawyer commissioned by DW in the DR Congo had informed DW, that Niragira had been released from prison and taken to the Congolese-Burundian border.

The satement further said, DW-spokesperson Christoph Jumpelt thanked all international organisations, who had been efforting the release of Antéditeste Niragira, and added: "We are very concerned that the the Burundian authorities are not letting our correspondent reunite with his family. After all he had to endure unjustly in the DR Congo, I cannot understand why the Burundian police is retaining him."

Niragira was in that country to report on the desolate conditions under which Burundian refugees are staying at a refugee camp in DR Congo near the town of Kavimvira. 

He was arrested by the Congolese intelligence service (ANR) on 17 May 2017 and taken to a prison in Uvira.

GBCONLINE