DRC reporter whipped, freed

Kinshasa - Eugène Risasi Tambwe of state-owned RadioTélévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) has been released after being held for five days because of his union activities. He was not charged.

He told the Reporters Without Borders partner organisation, Journalists in Danger (JED), that he was stripped of his shoes, handcuffed and whipped 30 times while held in a military camp. He was transferred on 28 July to cells inside the headquarters of the police Directorate for General Intelligence and Special Services (DRGS), which is known as "Kin Mazière."

He added that Vincent Hata and Michel Shango, two other journalists who were arrested with him, were still being held "for further investigation."

JED