© RFI/Sonia Rolley
Floribert Chebeya’s grave in Mitendi, Kinshasa, DRC.
The appeal trial of the alleged assassins of Floribert Chebeya and Fidèle Bazana continues. Yesterday, Friday April 15, the High Military Court conducted a confrontation between witnesses. They had been cited by the defendant Paul Mwilambwe during previous hearings. The latter explained that these people had kidnapped him to prevent him from testifying about what he had seen on the evening of June 1, 2010, the date of the assassination of the two human rights defenders.
with our correspondent in Kinshasa, Commander Muzembe Commander
Witnesses Douglas NKulu and Mbayo wa Lenge did not insist long in their denials when they were confronted with the defendant Paul Mwilambwé.
Faced with evidence, the first admitted to having been aware of the place of confinement of Paul Mwilambwe in June 2010, while justice was looking for the latter. The second, Colonel Mbayo wa Lenge, ended up admitting to having had telephone contact with the defendant.
After these two witnesses, the court decided on a closed session for the next confrontation, that between Mwilambwe and General Ponde, the former auditor, Consul Numbi and Mike Mikombe, two agents of the National Intelligence Agency, the ‘ANR.
Maître Elie Mbikayi, lawyer for the civil parties, expresses doubts about the various testimonies: “ The High Military Court gets the idea that Paul Mwilambwe never refused to appear before the courts to bring the truth about these facts. On the other hand, Paul Mwilambwe was indeed prevented by people who had hidden agendas. »
The case has been taken under advisement and the verdict will be given in eight days.
► Read also : witnesses called to the stand in the appeal trial