NAIROBI, Kenya: Burundi’s National Intelligence Service has detained a journalist, her family said Monday, raising new concerns for press freedom in the country.
A journalist for online outlet La Nova Burundi, a mother of three, Sandra Muhoza (42) was arrested Sunday and is being held in the economic capital Bujumbura, according to family members.
“We are very worried about the arrest of our colleague because up until now we do not know why she has been arrested,” Pascal Ndayisenga, La Nova director, added.
The government of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who took office in June 2020, has been widely criticised for failing to improve dismal human rights record in the country.
On Sunday, East African country’s Catholic bishops issued a damning assessment of the situation saying there was a culture of impunity, with killings and abductions for political or other motives.
A family member said Muhoza had responded Saturday to an invitation for an interview from a wealthy businessman who is also an influential member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
He said that after having no word from Muhoza on Saturday, her husband finally received a phone call on Sunday telling she was being held at the central offices of the intelligence service.
The relative said the family was worried but also reassured by the message that she is still alive.
Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, a Press freedom group, said Monday it was “concerned” about the journalist’s detention “without any reason given”.
Quoting Muhoza’s family, it said on X that she’s in fact being held by the intelligence services after a night at the police station.
