A talk show host serving a 10-year prison sentence for undermining Burundi’s national integrity has been formally pardoned.
Floriane Irangabiye, who runs a media company that regularly criticizes the Burundian government, told the BBC by text message from Bubanza Prison that she was “extremely happy”.
“To think that I will be able to move freely after almost two years in prison makes today a special day in my life, my children’s life and my entire family’s life,” she said.
Burundi has a poor record on press freedom, ranked 108 out of 180 countries according to the latest global index by Reporters Without Borders.
Before her arrest, the journalist lived in neighboring Rwanda, where she ran Radio Igicaniro.
At the time of her arrest in August 2022, she had returned to Burundi to attend the funeral of a family member and was sentenced the following January.
The announcement of Irangabiye’s pardon came on Thursday after she and her lawyers wrote to President Évariste Ndayishimiye asking for her release, her family said.
They also said she had a serious medical condition has worsened while in prison
Mrs. Irangabiye said to BBC Great Lakes Service that she was “very grateful to all those who contributed to making this day possible – my family, human rights activists from Burundi and other countries, journalists from Burundi and internationally”.
“But I especially thank President Ndayishimiye, who made this decision. I wish him all the best,” she wrote in the message.
The journalist is expected to be released later Friday.
News of Ms Irangabiye’s pardon was cautiously welcomed by local human rights groups, who are calling on the Burundian government to release others they say are being unjustly detained.
“Justice and human rights must be respected for all,” ACAT Burundi said, while FORSC said there were still “thousands” of other political prisoners “lingering” in the country’s jails.
Another high-ranking prisoner, A journalist named Sandra Muhoza is being held on similar charges as those who leveled Mrs. Irangabiyestill under state control.
East African country is notorious for political violence and the suppression of dissenting voices under President Pierre Nkurunziza suddenly dies 55 years old during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since being elected in 2020, President Ndayishimiye has been credited with improving Burundi’s international relations and enact some domestic reformsBut analysts say too little progress has been made and human rights violations continue.
