BURUNDI : Already one year of detention for Germain Rukuki
This Friday, 13th July 2018, marks the sad anniversary of the arbitrary detention of Germain Rukuki, the FIACAT and the ACATs keep mobilizing for his release.
A year after his arrest, Germain Rukuki, former accountant of ACAT Burundi, is still in detention despite his worrying medical condition.
Germain was sentenced on 26th April 2018 because of his work at ACAT Burundi, to 32 years of imprisonment by the High Court of Ntahangwa for charges of rebellion, breach of State security, participation in an insurrectional movement and attack on the Head of State. This sentence, one of the heaviest against a human rights defender in Burundi, was the result of irregular and arbitrary proceedings. Germain appealed this sentence on 29th May 2018.
The FIACAT is particularly worried by Germain’s health condition. Following a fracture of his ankle and the rupture of his shoulder ligaments, Germain was hospitalized and had to undergo a surgical operation in the Ngozi hospital. Despite his critical condition requiring regular medical care, he was transferred back to prison on 18 July 2018. He requested bail for his medical condition on 26th June 2018.
The FIACAT calls for Germain immediate release or at minimum his release on bail until his appeal and demands for fairness in the appeal proceedings.
Press contact:
- FIACAT – Sabrina Bignier – saa@fiacat.org - +33 (0)1 58 64 10 47