Published on : 28/07/2022 – 03:21
Justice decided this Wednesday, July 27 to release and place under judicial control 30 opposition activists, in detention for acts committed during the presidential election of 2021 which had caused unrest. Among them, a former minister and a well-known activist. The decision taken by the Criet comes as Emmanuel Macron, visiting Benin on Wednesday, raised the subject with his Beninese counterpart.
They leave prison and return home but are placed under judicial supervision. It’s day parole, but a relief for the beneficiaries, their parties and their lawyers.
Among them, the former minister and prefect Ali Houdou, a young 30-year-old activist and a former head of a public company, close to Boni Yayi. All were arrested during the unrest around the time of the April 2021 presidential election, recalls our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan.
A few hours before the court’s decision, the Beninese head of state said he had discussed the fate of the opponents face to face with his French counterpart visiting Cotonou. Coincidence or consequence of the interview?
Those close to those in power recall that this is the third wave of people released and placed under judicial supervision, this was the case in October 2021 and last June. Joël Aivo and Reckya Madougou are not affected and continue to serve sentences of 10 and 20 years in prison.
Talon evokes acts of pardon or amnesty
Questioned during his joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron on potential gestures towards personalities in exile or detained opponents, Patrice Talon said to himself ” straight in his boots while evoking an opening. ” In Benin, there are no political detaineeshe said. No one is detained for their political opinion. But people are detained for committing crimes, misdemeanors in the political field. So it could be that in times to come, in my time or after me, acts of pardon or amnesty will be taken in favor of these people. It’s possible. »
« I would like the current dynamic in Benin to continue to make our country credible, because what matters to us is that this country be a country of law, democracy and also good governance. “, he insisted. These releases are a good thing for the opposition, but she asks the president to go further.
This is a good thing. President Talon is heading in the right direction. The opposition has always called for the release of political prisoners and the unconditional return of exiles, as well as the holding of inclusive, transparent and peaceful legislative elections. If it is a signal that President Talon is giving to the world and to Beninese that from now on he will respect human rights, the rule of law and democracy, we can only welcome that.
Alassane Tigri, vice-president of the opposition party Les Démocrates