Tanzanian Journalist Charged With Economic Crimes

Tanzanian investigative journalist Erick Kabendera has been charged with economic crimes after he was arrested last week.

Kabendera writes for a number of media outlets, both local and international. Mainly focused on development issues, he is among those to speak out on the recent media clampdown in Tanzania.  

Following his arrest police claimed to be investigating Kabendera in relation to his citizenship states. However, the charge sheet reveals that Kabendera is accused of leading a criminal gang, failing to pay tax of US$75,000 and laundering the same amount. He has been denied bail as under the country’s Criminal Procedure Act those accused of money laundering must remain in custody.

The Committee to Protect Journalists have previously called for his release, with the group’s sub-Saharan Africa Representative Muthoki Mumo stating, “The manner in which this journalist was taken, by men claiming to be police, is very ominous and further evidence that the press is not safe in President John Magufuli's Tanzania.”

Upon learning of the charges facing Kabendera Mumo commented, "It seems that for the past week, authorities have been searching for a way to justify their detention of this critical freelance journalist. First, they claimed Erick Kabendera's citizenship was in question, today they have leveled drastically different charges, which call into question their motive for holding him."

"Prosecutors should immediately drop the charges against Kabendera and Tanzania should end its practice of retaliating against critical voices," he added. 

The next hearing in Kabendera’s case is scheduled for August 19.