Burundian Journalist Sandra Muhoza's Trial Postponed Amid Growing Concerns

Detained Journalist's Trial Postponed

• 📌 Sandra Muhoza, a journalist for La Nova Burundi, faces a postponed appeal trial, now set for March 26.
• 🗓️ This marks the fourth postponement, with reasons cited including administrative errors and transport issues.
• 🏛️ Lawyers were denied entry to the Pimba Central Prison for a hearing that was moved last minute.

Charges and International Condemnation

• ⚖️ Muhoza was arrested in April 2024 by intelligence services and initially sentenced to 21 months for undermining national integrity and "Russ aversion."
• 📄 The charges stem from sharing information about alleged government weapon distribution in a WhatsApp group.
• 📈 The prosecution appealed, seeking a 12-year jail sentence on the same charges.
• 🗣️ Reporters Without Borders Africa office head, Sadi Bumarong, called the charges baseless and referred the case to the special reporter on freedom of expression.

Deteriorating Press Freedom in Burundi

• 📉 Burundi ranks 108th in Reporters Without Borders' press freedom index.
• ⚠️ Press freedom has sharply deteriorated since the failed 2015 coup and subsequent political crisis, impacting what was once a vibrant media landscape.