Foreign

Presidential Candidate To Spend Seven Years In Jail For Insulting President

Published

1 year ago

September 15, 2023

Jean-Marc Kabund, a presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been handed a seven-year prison sentence.

The high court found him guilty on twelve charges, including spreading false rumors and insulting the head of state, according to his lawyer.

Kabund, a former vice president of parliament and once a close associate of President Felix Tshisekedi, formed his own political party last year after a falling out between the two.

He had been in custody at Kinshasa’s main prison since his arrest in August 2022 after he criticized Tshisekedi and his government in a speech.

Kabund’s lawyer, Kadi Diko, revealed that the court imposed four months for the first nine offenses and 16 months for the last three, with the most severe charges being “spreading false rumors” and “contempt for the head of state and parliament.” Diko emphasized that this verdict, which is not subject to appeal, is exceptionally severe.

While Kabund was not present for the sentencing, during a hearing last month, he stood by his remarks, stating, “I have urged the people to do everything in their power to ensure that Mr. Tshisekedi is excluded from the next elections, because I believe that the country is in great danger under his leadership.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo is scheduled to hold a general election on December 20, in which Tshisekedi is expected to seek a second term. Political tensions are escalating in the lead-up to the vote. In July, an opposition spokesman was fatally shot in the capital, Kinshasa, and opposition parties have organized violent protests to denounce irregularities in voter registration.

Kabund’s sentencing, handed down by the Court of Cassation, one of Congo’s highest courts, is final and not subject to appeal.

He had announced his intention to run for president as the leader of his “Alliance for Change” party in the forthcoming election. The presidency, represented by Tina Salama, clarified that it is not party to this case and therefore cannot provide a statement regarding the court’s decision.