A Burundian journalist, Sandra Muhoza, is facing a potential 12-year prison sentence for allegedly sharing information about government weapon distribution in a private WhatsApp group.
The charges against her include “undermining the integrity of the national territory” and “ethnic aversion.”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global media watchdog, has condemned the prosecution’s request, calling it “unspeakably harsh and unfair.”
They argue that Muhoza’s actions did not warrant such a severe punishment.
Muhoza, who works for the online media outlet La Nova Burundi, has been detained for over seven months.
A court hearing on November 12 saw prosecutors demand a 12-year prison sentence and a significant fine.
The case against Muhoza highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Burundi, despite recent efforts by President Evariste Ndayishimiye to improve the country’s international image.
While the president has been praised for ending years of isolationism, concerns remain about the government’s human rights record, including its treatment of journalists.
The verdict in Muhoza’s case is expected in December, and it will be closely watched by international human rights organizations and press freedom advocates.