Bujumbura: arrest of the Isanganiro Radio Director

Charles Makoto, the independent Isanganiro broadcaster director, was arrested this Monday morning at his home on the outskirts of the commercial city and Bujumbura province, by the police. A wanted notice brought by law enforcers says that he is accused of rebellion. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Information not yet verified by SOS Médias Burundi speak of an arrest that was dictated by a very high-ranking official concerning a land matter. The Burundian Housing Office (OBUHA) was already aware of the case and had been called upon to decide.

According to these sources, this very high-ranking official always wanted to trace a path on land belonging to our colleague by force and without compensation, which the latter refused.

Recently, Charles Makoto was questioned by the SNR (National Intelligence Service) in Bujumbura about his radio’s publications of information related to the war in the DRC where the Burundian army has deployed soldiers, we learned.

Colleagues and employees of Isanganiro radio in Bujumbura confirmed his arrest without giving details.

A wanted notice presented by the police as grounds for arrest says that our colleague is accused of ‘rebellion’.

An employee of Isanganiro radio said that “we learned that he is being questioned”.