A journalist in Burundi is at risk of a 12-year jail term over information she shared in a private WhatsApp group, global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said.
It described the possible sentence sought by prosecutors against Sandra Muhoza, who has already been detained for more than seven months, 鈥榖eyond comprehension鈥� and 鈥榰nspeakably harsh and unfair鈥�.
Muhoza is accused of 鈥榰ndermining the integrity of the national territory鈥� and 鈥榚thnic aversion鈥�, according to the media rights group, which is known by its French acronym RSF.
It said in a statement late Wednesday that the charges related to a message posted in a private WhatsApp media group about the distribution of weapons by the government.
The prosecution made a request at a High Court hearing in Bujumbura on November 12 for a total prison sentence of 12 years for the two charges as well as a fine of one million Burundian francs ($336), RSF said.
It called for Muhoza, who works for online media outlet La Nova Burundi, to be acquitted and freed immediately.
The judges are currently deliberating and a decision is due in December, RSF added.
In August, Burundi freed another journalist, Floriane Irangabiye, who had been sentenced in August 2023 to 10 years in prison, also for 鈥榰ndermining the integrity of the national territory鈥�.
Her release followed a pardon issued by President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
The Burundian leader, who took power in 2020, has been praised for gradually ending years of isolationism under former leader Pierre Nkurunziza鈥檚 chaotic and bloody rule.
But Ndayishimiye has not improved the country鈥檚 record on human rights and Burundi ranks 108th out of 180 countries for press freedom, according to RSF.
