“Those who seek to dim our light will have to wait,” activist Kemi Seba declared on Thursday (Oct. 17) upon regaining his freedom.
The Beninese activist, in his forties, spent nearly four days in custody at the French interior security agency (DGSI) headquarters in Paris.
His lawyer, Juan Branco, stated during a press conference on Wednesday (Oct. 16) that Seba was questioned in relation to two charges: “collusion with a foreign power to foster hostility or acts of aggression against France” and “maintaining ties with a foreign power that could harm the fundamental interests of the nation.” Both charges carry a potential prison sentence of at least 10 years.
According to French newspaper Le Monde, Seba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is not currently under prosecution, as confirmed by the Paris public prosecution.
Seba, a vocal critic of neo-colonialism in Africa, was arrested on Monday (Oct. 14) while having lunch with a colleague. Branco condemned the arrest as “violent.”
Seba’s organization, Urgences Panafricatistes, stated that he was in Paris to visit a sick relative and meet with members of the Beninese opposition. He was arrested alongside his close ally Hery Djehuty, who has also been released.
Born in France, Seba was stripped of his nationality last July and has since relocated to West Africa with his wife and children.