In Benin, Patrice Talon’s ‘fearless opponents’ jailed

Posted on August 21, 2024

Lecture: 2 minutes.

A famous Internet user benign Because of his harsh criticism of the president Patrice Taillon According to judicial sources, he was imprisoned on August 20, awaiting trial in October.

Steve Amoussou (alias) ” brother Hounvi” was brought before the Cotonou Court for the Suppression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (Criet) and “was subsequently imprisoned” on charges of “sedition, initiation and publication of false news and harassment by electronic means”.

75,000 subscribers exist Facebook

Steve Amoussou is very active on social networks, especially on his Facebook page called “Brother Hounvi Fighting Media”, which has 75,000 subscribers. Steve Amoussou has increased his criticism of the head of state of Benin online and has been living in Togo since Some Year.

He calls himself a “fearless opponent” and is not an official member of any political party. According to his lawyer, Aboubakar Baparapé, the Internet user “was kidnapped by unknown persons on the outskirts of Lomé on the evening of Monday, August 12, 2024. He has summer He was then taken to Benin and detained by the police. »

“The aggressive behavior highlights the brutality of the regime”

On August 19, deputies and many opposition figures gathered around the Cretan prefecture. exception Heavy sentences are often imposed on opponents who support “post-Viagra”. Police dispersed them and set up a security cordon around the court.

According to lawyer Renaud Agbodjo bar Benin, known for defending the country Reckya Madougou and Joel AïvoTwo opponents were sentenced to heavy sentences, “his kidnappers did not come to him, did not show him an arrest warrant, and One more time Less expressive of one’s identity.

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On August 18, some opposition parties held a press conference to oppose the arrest of the columnist. “Steve Amusu is neither a criminal nor a cybercriminal, but his only crime is his aggressive behavior. Exercise Grid The brutality of the regime,” Guy MitopukOne of the leaders of the main opposition Democratic Party.

In a press release, the Benin Bar Association “expressed its concern and questioned this flagrant violation of the legal standards in force in our country.” wait “Please ask the procuratorate to show a sober attitude.” Before being sent to prison, Steve Amusu was detained at the premises of the Economic and Financial Brigade. His trial will be held on 7 October.

(AFP report)