Tanzania: Journalist freed after 7 months without trial

Erick Kabendera, an investigative journalist who has been detained for the last seven months on charges of tax evasion, money laundering and organised crime, has been freed.

Criticised by rights groups around the world, his detention was seen as indicative of the degradation of rights and freedoms experienced by Tanzanians since President John Magufuli came to office in 2015.

Amnesty International, a human rights group, released a statement in which they praised the journalists release, though cautioned the lack of justice.

“Tanzania must publicly commit to ensuring that everyone can freely exercise all their human rights and stop the politically motivated persecution of dissidents and journalists like Erick Kabendera”, it read.

Shortly after the journalists arrest in July 2019, the UK and US embassies issued a joint statement of concern over “the steady erosion of due process in Tanzania, as evidenced by the ever more frequent resort to lengthy pre-trial detentions”.

Kabendera was originally arrested due to concerns over his citizenship, but authorities soon changed tact and pressed charges relating to financial crime.

His trial was frequently delayed, with prosecutors citing the need for more time to investigate the case further.

Authorities denied him leave to attend his mother’s funeral in December, just weeks after she filmed an emotional plea imploring them to release him.

Kabendera was released after agreeing a plea-agreement with prosecutors, involving the payment of significant sums of money.

For the charge of tax evasion, the journalist has agreed paid $75,000 within the next six months, while he has already paid $43,000 for the charge of money laundering.

In addition, he had to pay $108 for his immediate release.

After his release, Kabendera said “I have been through difficult times and finally I am free.  I did not expect this but I am grateful for all the support”.

A well-respected journalist who frequently criticises the government in his articles, Kabendera has written for British publications such as The Guardian, The Independent and The Times.

Photo: Reuters