Criticism of Regime Lands Florianne of Radio Igicaniro in Prison

Florianne Irangabiye, a female journalist and co-founder of Radio Igicaniro, faced severe harassment, including alleged sexual assault, following her arrest in August 2022 by intelligence personnel in Bujumbura, Burundi. Irangabiye,who was popular for hosting political debates critical of the Burundian government, was interrogated without legal counsel and assaulted during her detention , although the assault case was watered down. In January 2023, she was convicted on charges of undermining national integrity and sentenced to 10 years in prison, with the prosecution citing her participation in a Radio Igicaniro program that criticized government leaders. Her conviction, upheld on appeal in May 2023, drew criticism as an attempt to silence dissent. While serving her sentence, Irangabiye endured worsening asthma exacerbated by prison conditions, eventually prompting her transfer to a different facility near the capital. Florianne was later pardoned and freed after serving a two-year term in prison. Via : CPJ