Reporters Without Borders concerned over media harassment in Rwanda

Kigali, 30 Apr – (ANA) - Reporters Without Borders, the press freedom campaign group, has expressed dismay over the continued hounding of Jean Bosco Gasasira, editor of the bimonthly newspaper Umuvugizi by the Rwandan government.

Prosecutors had asked Rwanda’s supreme court to sentence him to ten years in prison on charges on which the Kigali high court acquitted him last September. The request was made at a hearing at which he was not represented by a lawyer. Gasasira himself fled the country months ago.

As one of Rwanda’s most outspoken journalist, Gasasira is charged with spreading rumours that incited civil disobedience, insulting the president and deliberately violating Rwanda’s media law. The supreme court, whose decisions cannot be appealed, is due to announce its verdict on 27 May.

 Reporters Without Borders says Rwanda’s prosecutors are clearly bent on convicting Gasasira at all costs adding  “The aim for President Paul Kagamé’s government is to smear his reputation and make it impossible for him to return. Reporters Without Borders urges the supreme court to follow the high court’s example and dismiss the charges.” (ANA)

FA/ANA/30 April 2011------