Democratic Republic of Congo, Eight Lucha Movement Activists Acquitted

Mumbere Sikuli Délivrance, Mukirania Consolée, Kasereka Muhetsya Ezée, Kakule Mutsuva Clovis, Nzila Patrick, Muhindo Aziz, Lwanzo Kasereka Kahongya and Mbusa Elie, eight activist members of the youth movement Luche (Struggle for Change) were acquitted on 20 January by a military court in the Democratic republic of Congo.

The eight youths were arrested on 19 January at the end of a protest criticising the lack of protection of the civilian population in the eastern Beni territory by the UN peacekeeping mission

After a month of hearings, the Beni-Batumbo military court acquitted them of the charges of “intentional destruction” and “sabotage”. The prosecution had requested 10 tears’ imprisonment.