Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 25 July 2016: Leader of congolese oposition has been found guilty in court

Paulin Makaya head of small oposition party in Congo has just been sentenced to two years in prison. He was accused for inciting series of riots which are slowly becoming Congloese reality and norm. Frequency of public disorder’s incidents is increasing which is acording to the government causing by opposition groups. The Brazzaville High Court found the United for the Congo (UPC) party leader guilty of organizing and participating in an illigal demonstration against the constitutional referendum in October 2015.

At the beginning of the trial Congolese prosecution asked for a five-year prison sentence including a 5 million CFA francs (USD 8,428) fine. Makya has remained in prison since November 2015 and waiting there for a final verict. He is considered as a prisoner of conscience by few human rights organisation which request for his release. In February Amnesty International called for return activist his freedom. In May a similar demand announced the French branch of ACAT (Action by Christians Against Torture).

His attorneys has immediateley refused the verdict and made an appeal. Lawyers claims that ongoing trial has been unfair and illigal.
A witch-hunt is being conducted against many people who are considered as an authorities’ enemies. Makya is on a special radar because of his links to Bernard Kolelas, the founding president of Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI) party in 1991. Makya was his the closest collaborator.