We often struggle to get the details on what happens in Congo correctly, but we do the best we can. This is also true regarding what happened on Tuesday August 24th. But now I’ve had the chance to talk to Josh, so here are some more details on what happened that day.
The incident that led up to this story is that a civilian inmate stole money from the boys. This money was from the “Inmate to Inmate” account, and was going to buy medication to inmates. The prisoner who stole this money is a civil person, not a soldier as some of the media claim. The boys saved his life last year when he was very sick. He has gotten medication, food, clothes, shoes and things to reading. Since February he has been the boys’ helper, and benefited from it. He stole the money on Friday August 13th. It was discovered on August 14th. Since this was the second time he was caught stealing he got fired. The boys have two witnesses to the robbery. And all of the prisoners are aware of what happened. The prisoner who stole was going to get out of prison on September 1st, and maybe he wanted some money for when he was free. The “prisoner chief” found out that he stole this money and took them. He escaped and is now out of prison. The prisoner who stole swore revenge and made up a story about the boys. The revenge occurred last Tuesday when he accused the boys of giving him money to buy a weapon. Their cell was raided for an hour. Nothing was found.
Joshua refused to leave the cell when the two was going to be interrogated. He was afraid something would be planted and “found” that could hurt them. Tjostolv was interrogated. He refused to explain himself without a lawyer present. Lawyer Likwela lives in Kisangani, so there shouldn’t be a problem to get him, and wait for him to get there. Tjostolv was threatened with disciplinary action. This was carried out with threats with a weapon, punches and kicks and placed in “dungeon” in filth and urine. After the raid was over Joshua was interrogated. This lasted for an hour. Some friends among the inmates made sure that no one entered the cell. Lawyer Likwela was now present. Joshua had to sign some hand written documents. This means that they are easily forged (something that has happened before). Joshua is very tired of the media. No one has contacted them to hear their side of the story. Media has just information from the Congolese people they’ve been in contact with, and through what lawyer Furuholmen and we in the families has been able to find out.
Kari Hilde French, August 29th 2010
