Eric Kabendera denied permission to attend mother's funeral
A court in Tanzania has denied incarcerated freelance investigative journalist Eric Kabendera permission to attend his late mother's funeral. The resident Magistrate said that the court does not have the mandate to listen to cases involving economic sabotage and money laundering.
Eric's aged mother Veridiana Mjwahuzi passed on few days ago while she was recuperating at his house. Before her death, she had prevailed upon President Magufuli to set her son free.
Eric was arrested in July 2019 and charged with abetting organised crime and evading Sh173.247 million in taxes. The journalism fraternity in Tanzania and human rights groups have condemned his arrest terming it as an affront to democracy and free press. Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International's Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes called for the release of Eric."The trial of Erick Kabendera is a travesty as the charges brought against him are politically motivated. The charges must be dropped and Kabendera immediately and unconditionally released."
Others who are behind bars for economic sabotage and money laundering charges are prominent businessmen Harbinder Sethi and James Rugemalira.
President Magufuli had advised the Tanzania Public Prosecutor Biswalo Mganga,to immediately start negotiating with the accused.
“It may be possible that some of those who have been behind bars for several years are willing to ask for forgiveness. Negotiate with them so that you agree as to how they will repay the money. They should also swear that they will never repeat such offences,” he said.
A court in Tanzania has denied incarcerated freelance investigative journalist Eric Kabendera permission to attend his late mother's funeral. The resident Magistrate said that the court does not have the mandate to listen to cases involving economic sabotage and money laundering.
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Eric's aged mother Veridiana Mjwahuzi passed on few days ago while she was recuperating at his house. Before her death, she had prevailed upon President Magufuli to set her son free.
Eric was arrested in July 2019 and charged with abetting organised crime and evading Sh173.247 million in taxes. The journalism fraternity in Tanzania and human rights groups have condemned his arrest terming it as an affront to democracy and free press. Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International's Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes called for the release of Eric."The trial of Erick Kabendera is a travesty as the charges brought against him are politically motivated. The charges must be dropped and Kabendera immediately and unconditionally released."
Others who are behind bars for economic sabotage and money laundering charges are prominent businessmen Harbinder Sethi and James Rugemalira.
President Magufuli had advised the Tanzania Public Prosecutor Biswalo Mganga,to immediately start negotiating with the accused.
“It may be possible that some of those who have been behind bars for several years are willing to ask for forgiveness. Negotiate with them so that you agree as to how they will repay the money. They should also swear that they will never repeat such offences,” he said.
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