Paris, November 29, 2021 Note to editors
RECKYA MADOUGOU: ARBITRARY REFERRAL TO CRIMINAL COURT
Reckya Madougou, Benin’s former Minister of Justice and opponent of the President, was brutally arrested at a political rally 9 months ago. Accused by the CRIET prosecutor of financing terrorism, she has been incarcerated in Benin since March 3 in degrading and deliberately humiliating conditions, surrounded by rats, without a walk or a visit.
The request for release filed by his lawyers on November 22 was rejected by the “liberty” judge , on the pretext that it was necessary to carry out other investigative acts.
And yet, in a perfectly contradictory move, the very next day Reckya Madougou was indicted and referred to the Criminal Court, putting an end to any further investigation.
Mario Stasi: “The exorbitant judicial treatment of my client continues unabated. There’s still nothing in the case: she hasn’t even been confronted with her co-accused! We can fear the worst… and obviously, she remains in detention.”
We would be happy to put you in touch with Mario Stasi.
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About RECKYA MADOUGOU: Reckya Madougou is an emblematic figure in the fight for peace and democracy in Benin. A former Minister of Justice from 2008 to 2013, she made a name for herself by initiating the “Touche pas à ma constitution” campaign, which contributed to a peaceful transition of power in 2006. She later became an international consultant to African governments, and has won numerous awards, including the Woman of Courage award from the US State Department.
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