A talk show host serving a ten-year sentence for undermining the integrity of Burundi’s country has been officially pardoned.
Floriane Irangabiye, who runs a media company that is often critical of Burundi’s government, told the BBC via text message from Bubanza prison that she was “full of happiness”.
“To think that I will be able to move freely after almost two years in prison is an extraordinary day for me, my children and my family,” she said.
Burundi has a poor record on press freedom; Ranked 108 out of 180 countries Reporters Without Borders’ latest global index.
Before his arrest, the journalist had been living in neighboring Rwanda, where he ran radio station Ijikaroni.
When she was arrested in August 2022, she had returned to Burundi to attend the funeral of a family member and was sentenced in January of the following year.
Ilangabiye’s pardon was announced on Thursday after she and her lawyers wrote to President Évariste Ndayishimiye asking for her release, her family claimed. .
They also said she had a A serious medical condition has worsened While in prison.
Ms Irangabiye told BBC Great Lakes Service She was “extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to making this day possible – my family, human rights activists from Burundi and other countries, journalists from Burundi and internationally”.
“But I especially thank President Ndayishimiye from the bottom of my heart for taking this decision. I wish him all the best,” she wrote in a text message.
The journalist is expected to be released later on Friday.
News of Ms Ilangabiye’s pardon was cautiously welcomed by local rights groups, who urged the Burundian government to release others unjustly imprisoned.
Burundi’s Committee Against Torture said “justice and human rights for all must be respected”, while Burundi’s Human Rights Commission said “thousands” of other political prisoners were still “languishing” in the country’s prisons.
Another high-profile detainee, A journalist named Sandra Muhoza was detained on similar charges What was said about Ms. Ilangabiyeremains in state custody.
East African countries are Notorious for political violence and the suppression of dissident voices. President Pierre Nkurunziza dies suddenly 55, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since his election in 2020, President Ndayishimiye has been recognized for improving Burundi’s international relations and implement some reforms domesticallybut analysts say too little progress has been made, Human rights violations continue.
