Just in: Journalists released in Cabo Delgado – MISA Mozambique

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Just in: Journalists released in Cabo Delgado – MISA Mozambique

1:31 CAT | 23 Apr 2019

Journalist Amade Abubacar (file photo)

MISA Mozambique reports that journalists Amade Abubacar and Germano Daniel Adriano from Macomia Radio and Television, who had been imprisoned in Cabo Delgado, were freed today (April 23) and subject to a statement of identity and fixed residence [termo de identidade e residência] .

In the long legal battle that MISA has been fighting in this case, alongside advocacy actions by other national and international organisations, the two journalists were only formally charged on April 16, Germano in violation of the 90-day period provided for by the Preventive Detention Act.

Contrary to the accusations faced by Germano in the initial process that legalised his preventive detention, namely of being “involved in the practice of crimes of violation of state secrecy by means of a computer and public instigation to a crime using a computer,” in the April 16 indictment the two journalists were charged with”disseminating dissenting messages against members of the Defence Forces of Mozambique/FADM, through a Facebook account that announced attacks that occurred in villages of the district of Macomia,” Germano de Sousa being named as editor.

Abubacar and Adriano will answer Public Prosecution Service charges, while MISA-Mozambique continues to amass evidence proving their innocence and attempts to establish the true facts of the case.

#Mozambique: A judge in #Pemba today, Tuesday, ruled that journalists #AmadeAbubacar & #GermanoDanielAdriano can be released on bail. They still have to stand trial. @pressfreedom thanks #Misa-Moz & all organizations for the solidarity. Now to ensure charges are withdrawn! https://t.co/2oRWKDhGql

— Angela Quintal (@angelaquintal) April 23, 2019

#AmadeAbubacar and #GeramanoAdriano are finally FREE
after almost 4 months detained.
Ofcourse we have to celebrate but we won’t forget how everything started. We said a long time ago:
Journalism is not a crime
Thanks for your hands#FreeAmade #CaboDelgado #HandsForJustice pic.twitter.com/Lhb0b1ALCi

— Cídia Chissungo (@Cidiachissungo) April 23, 2019