Lawyer Firmin Yangambi still imprisoned
Democratic Republic of Congo
Lawyers for Lawyers called on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to immediately release human rights lawyer Firmin Yangambi. Mr. Yangambi has been imprisoned since September 2009 and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by a military court.
Firmin Yangambi was arrested in 2009 and charged with the ‚illegal possession of weapons or ammunition’ and for ‚attempting to organise an insurrectional movement’. The circumstances surrounding Yangambi’s arrest and conviction suggest that his only crime has been to stand up against corruption and human rights abuses in the DRC.
According to our information, Firmin Yangambi was he has been convicted by a military court to 20 years imprisonment. During his pre-trial detention he allegedly has been subjected to torture. Furthermore, Firm Yangambi’s lawyer has been harassed during the criminal proceedings. Yangambi’s family members, most particularly his son, continue to be subjected to intimidation by Congolese authorities.
Fimin Yangambi’s health has deteriorated while in detention in Makala prison in Kinshasa.
Lawyers for Lawyers has addressed a letter to the authorities of the DRC, urging them to immediately release Firmin Yangambi.