Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye received a presidential pardon on August 14, 2024. She was released from prison on August 16. Irangabiye had been serving a 10-year sentence after being charged for “threatening the integrity of the national territory.” This stemmed from comments she made on an online radio show in August 2022.
Detention and health deterioration
Floriane Irangabiye, a journalist, was arrested on August 30, 2022, during a visit to Burundi from Rwanda. She was detained at the National Intelligence Service for over a week, where she was questioned without a lawyer present. Later, she was moved to Mpimba Prison and then to Muyinga Prison in September 2022.
The harsh conditions in Muyinga, including dampness and smoke, worsened her asthma and led to a severe decline in her health. After requests for a transfer and international pressure, including efforts by Amnesty International, she was moved to Bubanza Prison in October 2023, which is closer to Bujumbura.
Conviction and legal struggles
On January 2, 2023, the Mukaza High Court in Bujumbura convicted Floriane of endangering the integrity of the national territory and sentenced her to 10 years in prison along with a fine. Her trial was deeply flawed, with the prosecution failing to provide credible evidence.
The conviction was based on comments made during a radio show for Radio Igicaniro, an online platform she co-founded in 2019, where she and other guests were critical of the Burundian government. Despite her lawyers’ appeals, the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on May 2, 2023.
The Supreme Court also upheld the ruling on February 13, 2024. Following this, a request for revision was lodged with the Minister of Justice. Amnesty International activists campaigned tirelessly for her release, and Floriane acknowledged their support upon her release.
