In the online media today these are some of the headlines you can read: “French and Moland tried to escape through the roof in their cell”, “Moland and French tried to dig their way out of the prison…. but were revealed as they were about to get out through the prison walls”, “Moland and French caught in an escape attempt”. “The two Norwegians on death row… were Wednesday caught digging their way out of prison”. Through headlines like this Norwegian media sets Joshua and Tjostolv’s lives in danger. And with the lack of professionalism among the authorities in Kisangani the situation is not much better. It would be nice if the media found out the facts before they print headlines like this.
Joshua and Tjostolv did not attempt an escape. They haven’t tried to escape, caught when they were about to get out through the prison walls etc. It’s important to stay focused and sort out what are facts. It is correct that there is a hole in the roof in their cell. This is not the same as they’ve tried to escape. This is speculation just like the so called “murder-weapons” that turned out to be in Norway the whole time. The hole in the roof can be an insurance of an escape if it gets vital – there can be riots and other problems with the presidental election and it can be wise to have a way out if it’s a matter of life or death. But this is pure speculation on my part. It’s also strange that with as open conditions as it is in the prison in Kisangani where there are no glass in the windows, two inmates who guard them, they live on the patio outside their cell, no possibility to lock the cell from the inside and everyone could see the broken roof that this has not been investigated earlier. They didn’t find iron rods, but a stick, a piece of metal and an aluminum rod.
Joshua and Tjostolv were questioned yesterday without their local lawyer present (as they write on Dagbladet’s website). They are questioned again today – apparently with their lawyer present. They haven’t admitted to an escape attempt. They didn’t sign any documents. An investigation in the cell they now have been moved to didn’t reveal any evidence of an escape attempt. Two who questioned them yesterday didn’t even know they were sentenced to death, so a threat of a new trial is a little strange. The cell they’re in now is not safe. It also closer to the nightclub/disco so the music is loader than usual. We can be grateful that the only things stolen during the move was a pair of sandals. In a prison where everyone steals from everyone (including the guards the four UN-representatives saw stealing) this has to be considered a miracle!!
Kari Hilde French, August 26th 2011
